Mathew Shaun Laurie aka Matthew Daley convicted after South Grafton party

A South Grafton man spent a night in custody for breaching court orders after an argument with his ex at a birthday party that saw the occupant call police.

A Clarence Valley man forbidden from seeing his former partner due to a court order has landed back before the magistrate after he was found at a party she was attending.

Mathew Shaun Laurie, 53, faced Grafton Local Court on April 5 on a charge of contravening an apprehended domestic violence order between 7pm and 8pm on November 22 at South Grafton.

According to the police fact sheet Laurie had been in a relationship with the person in need of protection for five years.

His former partner had been at a birthday party at a Ryan St address, and police facts reveal Laurie was also in attendance despite being prohibited from having contact of any kind with the woman.

The pair subsequently argued over what the victim said was her ex-partner, and the occupant of the property called the police as a result.

Officers then found Laurie across the road, shirtless and hiding behind a bush.

Laurie’s former partner told police he had not been in attendance at the party.

The breach occurred as Laurie had been ordered not to approach or contact the victim in any way unless the contact was through a lawyer.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden warned Laurie of his “pattern of behaviour” and advised him the sentence was “an opportunity”.

Laurie pleaded guilty and was given a 12 month community corrections order which includes abstaining from alcohol and attending rehabilitation if required.

Laurie faced a further charge of fail to appear in accordance with a bail acknowledgment on February 7 2022.

He pleaded guilty and was convicted under Section 10A with no further penalties.

Laurie also goes by the name Matthew Daley and signed the police records as such.