Former Moonee Valley mayor Cameron Nation has been granted bail just four nights into a three-month prison sentence for sexually assaulting a teenage boy, with the court told he posed no risk to the community.
The 42-year-old was released on Monday after appearing by video link before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Prosecutors did not oppose bail, but sought strict conditions including a ban on leaving Victoria or attending international departure points.
Nation was sentenced last Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of sexually assaulting the 17-year-old, who had previously worked as an assistant swimming coach under him.
The court heard Nation had lured the teenager to his home in 2019, where they inhaled nitrous oxide. The boy told police: “This made me feel really spaced out, like I had no control over my body.”
Nation then kissed the teenager before pulling down his trousers and performing a sexual act, the court heard. The boy said: “I did not know what to do … I felt like I had no control.”
The pair had met through Nation’s work as director and head coach of three aquatic clubs in Melbourne’s north-west. The victim was eight or nine when they first met and later became an assistant coach.
Nation subsequently contacted the teenager to congratulate him on coming out as gay. Their text and social media exchanges later became sexual, with prosecutors saying Nation expressed an interest in taking him to a gay club to “show him the ropes”.
Nation was charged in October last year and pleaded guilty earlier this month. He was mayor of Moonee Valley City Council a year after the offending, before resigning at a council meeting in March 2024 after more than a decade of service.
His identity became public last week after a 10-month media ban was lifted. The suppression order had been imposed to protect his mental health, and details of the case emerged after media organisations successfully challenged it.
Nation sobbed in the front row of court when Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz sentenced him to three months in prison, followed by an 18-month community corrections order focused on drug, alcohol and mental health treatment. He was taken into custody after the hearing.
During Monday’s bail hearing, the magistrate noted that Nation had spent an extended period on bail before sentencing and had complied with all conditions. She also noted prosecutors were “saying you’re no risk to the community”.
The court heard Nation was legally entitled to bail pending an appeal next year because there was no compelling reason to keep him in custody. His appeal is due to be heard in the County Court on February 11.
