October 17th 2024.
A former Sydney councillor, Sam Einfeld, has managed to avoid being sent back to jail after a violent incident with his godmother. The 45-year-old claims he was searching for his mother, who suffers from dementia, when he attacked Margot Priday, a long-time family friend, on April 23, 2022.
It all started when Einfeld drove his car through Priday's garage door and then proceeded to chase her down. He grabbed her arm and forcefully pulled her to the ground, kicking her several times and even stepping on her hand. This left Priday with cuts, bruises, and a fractured finger.
It turns out Einfeld was upset because Priday wasn't returning his calls while he was trying to locate his mother, whom he believed to be at the home. During the hearing, District Court Judge Jennie Girdham sentenced him to one year and nine months in jail, to be served as an intensive corrections order, taking into account his time already spent behind bars.
Thankfully for Einfeld, the sentence will be served within the community, and he will not have to go back to jail. He was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service. The court heard that Einfeld had developed an addiction to prescription stimulants and had taken up to 14 tablets of the drug modafinil on the day of the attack. He was also taking Ritalin, which he had been prescribed for ADHD, but he had been abusing it in the days leading up to the incident.
According to Judge Girdham, the ADHD diagnosis was a mistake. However, she did acknowledge that Einfeld is now drug-free after completing a rehabilitation program and that he is remorseful for his actions. "I accept his expressions of great shame at what he has done," she said.
During the hearing, the judge also recognized the ongoing impact the attack had on Priday's daily life. She explained that Priday was constantly fearful for her safety, especially since Einfeld was someone she had known for a long time. "She was chased, grabbed, circled and paced as she lay on the ground," Judge Girdham said. "The court well appreciates why it is she remains fearful of him."
Priday's daughter, Polly, read a statement on her behalf, where she recalled that Einfeld only stopped attacking her mother when he heard sirens. In a heartbreaking moment, Priday questioned, "Would you have stopped, or would I be dead?"
Einfeld also gave evidence during the hearing, expressing his remorse for the "horrible thing" he did. Through tears, he said, "I can never forgive myself for what I did, and I am sorry." Einfeld had previously been sentenced in October for two other incidents, where he assaulted Polly Priday and his own mother, who has since passed away. He received a 12-month conditional release order for both offences, as the court determined that they were the result of recklessness rather than intent.
If you or someone you know needs support, please call 1800 RESPECT or Lifeline on 13 11 14. And for all the latest breaking news, celebrity updates, and sports news, be sure to follow our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm, and your private details remain safe. Stay connected with us today!
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
