Matthew Benson: Ex-Hornsby councillor sentenced over cop assault, blames marriage problems
A former Hornsby councillor and town planner has shown his remorse while he faced court after being charged with police assault. Outside court, the man also revealed why, when the incident occured, it had been a “difficult time” for him.
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A former Hornsby councillor and town planner has claimed he was experiencing marriage difficulties when he took a swing at a police while he was intoxicated.
Matthew William Benson, 51, of Pymble was sentenced at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to two charges — assault police officer in execution of duty and obstruct path of driver on July 4.
According to police facts tendered in court, about 9.15pm police were conducting random breath tests on Mona Vale Rd in Pymble near the Telegraph Rd intersection when Benson, a proud father, was seen nearby proclaiming, “my son William Benson is the best”.
Police facts state he shouted this multiple times and they observed that he was “intoxicated”, becoming concerned “he was causing an unsafe environment for himself, police and other road users”.
Police asked Benson to walk away but he stated, “you can’t direct me what to do, in fact I am going to cross the road” and began walking onto the road, despite police’s multiple attempts to get Benson to stop, police facts reveal.
Court documents state at one stage Benson almost caused an accident and he walked “in the direct path of an oncoming vehicle who had to take evasive action to prevent them colliding”.
Once he reached the medium strip police attempted to reel him back by “taking hold of his arm” and in response Benson “swung around with a closed fist and struck” the officer on the hand in an attempt to break the grip, causing the officer “immediate pain”, police facts state.
While Benson was being arrested, he buckled, apologising to the officer for his outburst.
During court proceedings his lawyer Mark Warren said his client was very “remorseful” and acknowledged it was an “immature thing to do, to stand up to police”.
“He’s incredibly sorry to the officer involved and apologised for that and you will see he’s experienced a few difficulties in his marriage. He was with his friends,” Mr Warren said.
“He’s usually a law-abiding citizen. He employs a number of people and certainly now that period when the break up of the marriage occurred, it’s behind him.
“I’m wondering if the court can exercise discretion again and grant a Section 10 Application? He acknowledges the work the police do in these difficult circumstances. In no way should they be shown disrespect in any circumstances and he apologies before the court and to the officer for his behaviour.”
Magistrate Bruce Williams said he needed “to let the rest of the community know this behaviour is intolerable”.
“I don’t know the exact numbers, but let’s say there were 20,000 people in this area probably consuming alcohol on a Saturday night. The general population when they drink alcohol don’t get violent, but there’s a group of people that do,” Magistrate Williams said.
“You had that other matter of violence back in 2009. There’s a belief system the police are there to cop what happens and people say that’s their job, don’t take that belief.
“They go out every day and wonder am I going to be spat on or be called a pig or confronted by people like you who are drunk and thinking they’re some sort of enemy. These people are just there to help stop you from getting run over and grab you, then you punch one of them.”
Benson was granted a Section 10 Application and was ordered to pay a monetary penalty of $750.
Benson served as a councillor at Hornsby Shire Council between 1999 and 2004.
He was also chair of the Hornsby Shire Heritage Committee and owns his own firm called MB Town Planning.
When he was approached by the Advoccate outside of court he said “it was a difficult time in my marriage” and “I’m just trying to move on from this”.