A former Melbourne mayor is spending his first night in custody as part of a three-month jail sentence for sexually assaulting a teenage boy.<\/p>\n
Warning: This story contains details that may be distressing for some readers<\/p>\n
A suppression order was lifted on Thursday afternoon, allowing media to name Cameron Nation as the ex-Moonee Valley councillor at the centre of the case.<\/p>\n
Nation served for 11 years as a councillor, before quitting in 2024 after an IBAC investigation found he traded cocaine for influence in planning matters<\/a>.<\/p>\n He pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy who was under his supervision in 2019.<\/p>\n In jailing Nation, Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz said his crimes were too serious for a non-custodial sentence, even though prosecutors had said it was an option open to her.<\/p>\n Nation assaulted ‘vulnerable’ teen after supplying drugs, court hears<\/p>\n The court heard Nation had invited the teenager, who was drunk, over to his home in December 2019.<\/p>\n The boy arrived around 3:30am and Nation supplied him with “nangs”, also known as nitrous oxide.<\/p>\n Nation then pulled down the boy’s pants and performed a sex act on the “vulnerable” and “spaced-out” teen, the magistrate said.<\/p>\n “The complainant said he felt helpless and overwhelmed,” she said.<\/p>\n “He was not enjoying what was happening and he didn’t know what to do as he had no control.”<\/p>\n Along with jail time, Magistrate Mykytowycz also sentenced Nation to complete an 18-month community corrections order, forcing him to attend drug, mental health and sex offenders’ programs.<\/p>\n Nation’s lawyer Sam Norton said he would appeal the sentence and would lodge an application for bail next week.<\/p>\n Nation was charged by police in October 2025. Days later, he tried to kill himself and was hospitalised, the court heard.<\/p>\n A magistrate then put a suppression order in place to protect his mental health, banning reporting of Nation’s name in connections with his case.<\/p>\n Lawyer’s bid to keep Nation’s identity secret fails<\/p>\n On Thursday, Nation’s defence lawyer failed in a bid to extend the suppression order for two years, after arguing media stories posed an unacceptable mental health risk to his client.<\/p>\n If you or anyone you know needs help:Lifeline<\/a> on 13 11 14MensLine Australia<\/a> on 1300 789 978Beyond Blue<\/a> on 1300 224 636Headspace<\/a> on 1800 650 890<\/p>\n Magistrate Mykytowycz said while Nation’s mental health was in a “parlous” state, he was currently well supported by family and had been accessing professional help in the community.<\/p>\n Nation wept in court as the magistrate outlined how his mental health declined after the IBAC investigation, which did not result in him being charged.<\/p>\n “It is often the case the fall from grace for those in the public arena is accompanied by increased media attention,” the magistrate said.<\/p>\n Nation departed the courtroom with three security guards by his side. His jacket was confiscated and he was provided with a plain white T-shirt to wear.<\/p>\n In 2024, Nation stunned fellow Mooney Valley councillors, when he attended a meeting via video link and abruptly resigned, telling them “Ciao”<\/a>.<\/p>\n