Matthew Benson: Ex-Hornsby councillor sentenced over sexual act on at Hawks Nest beach

A former councillor Matthew Benson has been sentenced after he was caught carrying out a sexual act at a popular beach while on a dangerous cocktail of drugs.

Town planner Matthew Benson faces court over inappropriate sexual act on beach. Picture: Facebook

A court has heard parents were forced to cover their children’s eyes as a naked man performed sexual acts at a popular family beach, while on drugs near Port Stephens.

Ex-Hornsby councillor and town planner Matthew William Benson, 51, of Killara was sentenced at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of wilful and obscene exposure in public place; carry out sexual act with another without consent; possess prohibited drug and supply prohibited drug and goods.

Ex-councillor Mathew Benson has been sentenced after he was caught carrying out a sexual act on himself at Jimmy's Beach in front of families. Picture: Madelaine Wong

Matthew Benson at Hornsby Local Court on 13 Jan 2021. Picture: Madelaine Wong

According to police facts tendered in court on September 12, about 10.45am police received “numerous complaints of a naked male walking along Jimmy’s Beach” which was “full of families” at Hawks Nest, north of Port Stephens.

While police were on their way, witnesses made more reports the man was “masturbating in front of them”, police facts reveal.

Police found Benson standing on a sand dune “completely naked with his arms crossed” and handed him a blanket.

Court documents state that while police were interviewing witnesses, Benson approached some women who had a seven-year-old girl and nine-month-old baby with them.

In response they “quickly placed the children in the rear of their vehicle and covered their eyes”.

Matthew Benson outside Hornsby Local Court on another matter in September, 2020. Picture: Madelaine Wong

The witnesses told police he began to “fondle” himself and touch his anal area, he was arrested a short time later, police facts show.

Further, when officers retrieved Benson’s belonging’s they observed him to be in possession of clear resealable bags, which Benson admitted contained LSD, MDMA, and Viagra.

The drugs were weighed and included 100mg of Viagra and 0.60 grams of MDMA and 0.46 grams of LSD which were deemed supply due to the quantity.

Matthew Benson outside Hornsby court over police assault charges on September 9, 2020. Picture: Madelaine Wong

During an interview Benson told police he took two tabs of LSD in the morning with vague memories of being naked, but could not remember “masturbating to anyone”, although he recollected “fondling his anal area as he had intestine pains and thought he was a marine creature”, court papers state.

A witness supplied police with pictures of the acts being carried out.

During proceedings at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday Benson was represented by lawyer Philip Cox who said his client was “working on his health”.

“He has the support of his parents and sister. Mental health issues run in the family. There’s history of schizophrenia and suicide,” Mr Cox said.

Magistrate Vivian Swain acknowledged Benson had recently been admitted to Hornsby Hospital and said she had seen reports of diagnosis and treatment.

“The offending in any regard is serious when he exposed himself on a beach where there were families including children,” Magistrate Swain said.

“Some parents put their children in the car and covered their eyes. He has a conviction from assaulting police last year and obstructing the footpath.

“It’s clear to me he has some degree of autism and at the very least some serious depression. I think for Benson’s sake, and for the community, he would be best suited to rehabilitation”.

Matthew William Benson outside Raymond Terrace Court House.

Benson was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order with supervision. He was ordered to pay a $250 fine.

Outside court Benson told the Hornsby Advocate: “It’s a fair outcome, the main comment I want to make is the drug I was getting into to get through life, is one that a lot of people seem to think is pretty safe but it’s not, and it had a really big effect on me,” Mr Benson said.

“I basically blacked out, much of the episode I was on autopilot and you can see the devastating consequences and it was foolish of me to disregard the fact they are illegal.

“The community should take note and not go experimenting with illegal drugs. I’m very sorry to the people who had a good day at the beach ruined by my obnoxious and offensive behaviour and want to move on and get myself back together.”