Grafton police officer Matthew Paul Laki, 31, pleads not guilty to domestic violence common assault

A serving North Coast police officer has denied allegations he beat a woman in two domestic violence incidents near Grafton. Here’s what we know.

Grafton police officer Matthew Paul Laki has pleaded not guilty to two counts of domestic violence common assault.

A serving Grafton police officer will fight domestic violence allegations that he beat a woman between 2017 and 2021.

Mountain View man Matthew Paul Laki, 31, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday at Lismore Local Court to two counts of domestic violence common assault.

Mr Laki was charged after a police investigation into reports of alleged historical domestic violence related incidents between 2017-2021 at Grafton.

Grafton Police Station.

The case was heard for the first time at Lismore – raising the eyebrows of Magistrate Michael Dakin.

The court heard the matter was listed at Lismore because Mr Laki was still serving as a police officer in Grafton.

Mr Laki’s solicitor Mr Draper asked Mr Dakin for the matter to be heard in either Coffs Harbour or Lismore, away from his client's place of employment.

Grafton police officer Matthew Paul Laki outside the court.

Mr Dakin overruled the request.

He adjourned the case to Grafton Local Court on July 10 to set a hearing date.

A NSW Police spokesman confirmed Mr Laki’s “employment status is under review”.