2 hours ago
3
The lawyer for Mark Latham’s ex-partner Nathalie Matthews has said his client is distraught over her arrest on revenge porn charges, as she spent a night in custody before being granted bail on Monday.
Upon landing in the country from Dubai on Sunday morning, the former girlfriend of one-time federal Labor leader Latham was arrested at Sydney airport on an outstanding arrest warrant.
Mark Latham and Nathalie Matthews in 2024.Credit: Instagram
The 38-year-old was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with accessing or modifying restricted data held in a computer, intentionally recording an intimate image without consent, and intentionally distributing an intimate image without consent, against a person name in court documents as “Witness two”.
She was refused bail by police and spent a night in custody, before facing Parramatta Local Court on Monday via audiovisual link from Surry Hills Police Station. With her long blonde hair tied in a side ponytail and wearing a dark green coat over a black shirt, she answered Magistrate Robert Cook’s question about her date of birth and then listened to the proceedings.
Matthews’ defence lawyer Daniel Wakim applied for her release on bail – which was not opposed by the prosecution – and bail was granted.
Cook noted the charges are “serious matters” but it was “early days in relation to ongoing enquiries” and they did not require Matthews to remain in custody.
Mark Latham and Nathalie Matthews at Royal Randwick Racecourse last year.Credit: James Brickwood
“[But] they do require some limitations on the accused returning to the community, regarding her business operations both within Australia and overseas,” Cook said.
The police prosecutor told the court police have concerns which require certain bail conditions “on the basis of the facts and the execution of the warrant,” causing Matthews to shake her head.
Outside court, Wakim told media that Matthews was “distraught, of course”.
“It’s not something that, you know, is welcoming, you coming home to find yourself arrested,” he said.
Mark Latham was escorted out of Grandview Restaurant at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday.Credit: Nine
Wakim said police bail could “have very easily been granted” but there was a process to follow, and he was thankful to have her released the next day.
“She’s not a flight risk ... she’s got no criminal history in so far as anything that would cause police concern or the community at large ... Other than that, I mean, she does have very good character, and we can just rely on that, in due course.”
Asked about whether the charges relate to any videos allegedly taken inside parliamentary grounds, Wakim said they do not.
The Herald is not identifying the alleged victim for legal reasons.
Loading
In July, this masthead revealed Latham’s parliamentary office was allegedly used to film sex tapes with Matthews, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the accusations against the MP. Matthews also alleged her relationship with Latham had been abusive.
Latham didn’t deny using the parliament office for sex, but said at the time that “if [Matthews] has recorded these videos, it has been without my knowledge and consent”.
Matthews, a Liberal Party member and former OnlyFans creator who splits her time between Dubai and Sydney, alleged in documents filed with the NSW Local Court in July that Latham engaged in a “sustained pattern” of abuse, including forcing her into degrading sexual acts, along with emotional, psychological and financial manipulation.
She alleged Latham demand she call him “Master”, defecated on her before sex, and drove his car at her, with his side mirror hitting her and “causing a bruise”. This masthead does not suggest that the claims against Latham are true, only that they have been made.
Latham denied the allegations, calling her claims “nonsense”.
Loading
“I have broken no law. The police did not involve themselves in [Matthews’ apprehended violence order] matter,” he said at the time.
The pair were in what Latham called a “casual, open arrangement” for over two years. The pair’s relationship ended on May 27, the same day Latham was involved in a vote to decide the future of Rosehill Gardens racecourse.
Matthews’ arrest comes one day after Latham was escorted by police from a venue at Royal Randwick Racecourse after refusing to leave when asked by management. The two incidents are not related.
During Monday’s bail application, Wakim said this matter would next be mentioned at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, alongside Matthew’s private AVO.
Matthews was granted bail under the conditions she surrender her passport (which had already been done) and not contact any prosecution witness unless through a lawyer.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Most Viewed in National
Loading
