Labor MP Anna Watson’s stepson pleads guilty to domestic violence charge

The stepson of one of NSW Labor’s loudest voices on domestic violence has pleaded guilty to threatening to slap a woman. See what happened in court

Matthew James Vann (left), 32, of Albion Park, outside Manly Local Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to stalking or intimidating a former girlfriend on the lower north shore. Picture: Manly Daily

The stepson of one of the state’s staunchest domestic violence advocates has pleaded guilty in court to a charge of threatening to slap his girlfriend.

Matthew James Vann, 32, of Albion Park, the stepson of Labor Shellharbour MP Anna Watson, was in Manly Local Court on Monday.

Vann had previously pleaded not guilty to one count of common assault (domestic violence) and two counts of stalk or intimidate intend fear of physical or mental harm (domestic).

But prior to a scheduled hearing going ahead and after discussions with Vann’s solicitor, police withdraw the assault charge and one of the counts of stalk or intimidate.

Vann pleaded guilty to the one remaining charge of stalk or intimidate intending to cause fear of physical harm (domestic).

Matthew James Vann, 32, of Albion Park, outside Manly Local Court on Monday. Picture: Manly Daily

His solicitor told Magistrate Louise McManus that she would be making an application to Wollongong Local Court to have the charge withdrawn for mental health reasons.

Police noted in a bail document, tendered to court, that Vann is diagnosed with autism. In a police facts sheet tendered to court, police stated that Vann has “cognitive impairments”.

In the facts sheet, police stated that Vann threatened to hit a woman at a flat at Willoughby on January 21.

The threat came after Vann became angry at the woman for asking him to pick up rubbish he had thrown on the floor near a rubbish bin.

Police stated that Vann yelled in the face of the woman and raised his right hand above his shoulder.

“You deserve to be slapped across the face,” Vann told the woman, according to the facts sheet.

“The victim stated she felt fear for her safety and felt he may actually slap her.” police stated.

An apprehended domestic violence order in place between Vann and the victim.

In February Ms Watson told NewsLocal that she was limited in what she could comment on in relation to the court case, however, she said her “heart goes out” to the alleged victim.

“I can’t comment on what’s before the court,” the Labor MP said.

“I don’t want to be in contempt of court, there is a process.

“I attended interviews with him to ensure proper processes were taken given he has an intellectual disability. He had a choice of who he wanted as a support person so I sat in and listened.

“I will always support victims of family and domestic violence. I have spoken to hundreds of women and my heart goes out to this (alleged) victim.

“I will support her in anyway I can.”

Ms Watson was a prominent voice in NSW parliament regarding domestic violence issues and despite believing it didn‘t go far enough to protect victims, she was a supporter of the government’s Coercive Control Bill which passed parliament last year.

Magistrate McManus listed the matter for sentence and the mental health application at Wollongong Local Court on September 22.

Mr Vann’s bail was continued.