Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon charged with assault, stalking/intimidation
The Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon has vowed to clear his name after being charged with domestic violence related offences. Here’s what we know.
Police & Courts
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A north coast mayor has vowed to clear his name after being charged with domestic violence related offences.
Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon has been charged with common assault and stalking/intimidation following an altercation earlier this month.
Police said officers were called to a home at The Pocket, a 25-minute drive from Byron Bay, following reports of a domestic incident about 10.30pm on August 1.
Officers attached to Tweed Byron Police District arrived and were told a man allegedly assaulted a woman before leaving the scene.
No injuries were reported.
Cr Lyon was arrested at Tweed Heads police station the next day.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court on August 19.
Cr Lyon took to Facebook on Thursday and said he had yet to decide whether he would run again for mayor in the upcoming local government elections.
“At the heart of this matter is a misunderstanding I hope will be cleared up as quickly as possible so that my name can be cleared and that my family can move back out of the public eye and receive the love and attention they need,” he said.
“I abhor violence in all its forms and respect the need for the strong processes that are in place to protect the safety of people in the home.”
Lyon declined to comment when contacted by this publication, instead referring it to the post.
The social media post came as Byron Shire Councillor Mark Swivel withdrew from Lyon’s Independents team.
“Any political campaign requires total focus. Recent events now make that impossible. Everyone is entitled to a fair hearing. Everyone is entitled to be safe in their home. We all know that,” he said.
“I hope we all share the same values and priorities about what is important in life and where local government and its politics sit in our different lives. Our relationships, our families and how we treat each other, our dignity and respect, must come first.”
Cr Swivel said he would not be doing interviews or commenting further.
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