Tim Mathieson admits sexual assault, diversion application knocked back

An attempt by the ex-partner of former prime minister Julia Gillard to avoid a criminal record for sexually assaulting a woman has hit a stumbling block, as his lawyer told a court an application for diversion had been “taken off the table”.

Timothy Raymond Mathieson, 66, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court remotely on Thursday, and has pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault, his lawyer said. The charge relates to allegedly sucking on the woman’s nipple without her consent.

The court had earlier heard it was possible for Mathieson to avoid a conviction for the charge if his application for a diversion was approved. But as Mathieson appeared remotely, from the dining area of a home, the court heard his application for a diversion had been knocked back.

The prosecution previously requested two weeks for a senior police officer to determine whether a diversion was an “appropriate course” to take. The process requires consulting the complainant.

On Thursday, Mathieson’s lawyer, Brad Penno, told the court the diversion option had since been “taken off the table”.

Penno asked for the case to return to court in October for an hour-long plea hearing. He said Mathieson pleaded guilty to one charge, while two other charges had been withdrawn.

There is no suggestion the alleged matter relates to Gillard.

Court records seen by this masthead show Mathieson, also known as Raymond Timothy Mathieson, was originally charged on summons in May with three charges: two stalking charges and one of sexual assault.

The stalking charges related to an allegation Mathieson stalked a person by telephone between December 14, 2021 and February 14, 2022.

Police had also alleged he stalked a person when he entered a residence without permission in Brunswick East, in Melbourne’s inner north, on March 14, 2022.

Both stalking charges were withdrawn by the prosecution in July.

The remaining charge relates to Mathieson sexually assaulting a woman by sucking on her nipple without her consent in Brunswick East on March 13, 2022.

The offence of sexual assault carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail.

Mathieson lived with Gillard in The Lodge in Canberra when she was prime minister, and he was referred to as the “first bloke”. But Gillard revealed in March 2022 that the couple had split some time earlier.

Magistrate Andrew Sim adjourned the case and ordered Mathieson to return to court on October 19.

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