Former Hawkesbury Mayor Sarah McMahon is set to return to Blacktown Local Court on October 2, 2024, after her lawyers requested an adjournment in today's proceedings. The adjournment was granted at Windsor Local Court this morning following her lawyer's statement that additional police evidence had surfaced. McMahon, who has not appeared in court for any of her hearings, remains under an interim Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) stemming from an alleged incident involving her ex-boyfriend, local leasing and sales agent, Matthew Bennett.

The interim AVO was issued after McMahon was arrested on July 14, 2024, after a late night search for Bennett throughout the Hawkesbury, visiting several locations, including his mother’s house, sister’s house, and an address in Castlereagh, before arriving at his business, located in the historic Post Office building on Windsor Street, Richmond. She told police she entered through a closed side door at 9:30 pm. The PIR said she accessed Bennett’s computer, and sent him a photo of its contents. Bennett, watching the scene unfold via CCTV, identified McMahon and called the police, resulting in her arrest.

McMahon was placed in the back of a police vehicle, and later served with an interim AVO that prevents her from threatening, stalking, or harassing Bennett or damaging his property or pets. It also bars her from contacting him, except through legal representatives, and from approaching places where he lives or works. “Police fear that the defendant (McMahon) will escalate and commit further offenses towards the victim (Bennett),” the police report said. No criminal charges have been laid against McMahon.

The PIR also notes a previous domestic violence incident from December 11, 2023, in which Bennett is listed as the victim, and McMahon as the person of interest. There are no details regarding that incident.

The day after her arrest, McMahon returned to Windsor Police Station, where she accused Bennett of domestic violence over a period of years. Her allegations include claims that Bennett physically assaulted her in 2023 by swinging a Nike bag, causing her to fall and injure her thigh, and that he smashed furniture in their shared home. In June 2024, McMahon also alleged that Bennett threw a glass during an argument, breaking it against the kitchen wall.

Bennett has also been served with an interim AVO, though no charges have been filed against him.