Ex-Waverley councillor Sam Einfeld to be sentenced for bloodied assault of his elderly godmother
The elderly grandmother who was violently attacked by a once promising local politician, after he smashed through her garage with a car before unleashing a bloodied assault, has told a court she worries she will never feel safe again.
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The elderly grandmother who was violently attacked by a once promising local politician, after he smashed through her garage with a car before unleashing on a bloodied assault, has told a court she worries she will never feel safe again.
Ex-Waverley councillor Sam Einfeld – the cousin of disgraced Federal Court Judge Marcus Einfeld who was jailed for three years after lying about a speeding ticket – appeared at Sydney District Court on Thursday after previously pleading guilty to aggravated break and enter and destroy or damage property.
Crown prosecutor Rebecca Stefani summarised the agreed facts which outlined how the 45-year-old attended his godmother Margot Pridday’s home in April 2022 before driving a car through her garage door.
He threw a ceramic pot at the 82-year-old’s car windscreen before going into her home and chasing after her.
Ms Stefani said he kicked Ms Pridday “a number of times and trod on her hand”.
He was eventually arrested by police outside the home where he remained in custody on remand for almost eight months before he was released into rehabilitation centre Odyssey House in December 2022.
Through her daughter, the court heard Ms Pridday’s victim impact statement where she detailed how she had known Einfeld since the day he was born, given she had been friends with his late mother for decades.
“My life changed forever … [after the] violent, senseless and unprovoked crime against me … [at my] home he knew well,” she said.
“Prior to that day … [I was] enjoying retirement … I took pleasure in family life … I lived with a sense of security and confidence which I took for granted.”
Ms Pridday said the peace she once had was “shattered” and her sleep has been “haunted with memories of that day”.
“I was wondering if I was about to die,” she said.
“The memory of hearing those sirens coming, I remember that’s when you stopped … what would have happened … would you have stopped or would I be dead.”
Ms Pridday detailed the ongoing mental, physical and financial impacts the “senseless invasion” continues to have on her, including doctor’s appointments and relocating from her home.
When cross-examined by his barrister Rebecca McMahon, an emotional Einfeld said he had pondered on the “pain I caused”, saying “I can never get over … that I could do that”.
He told the court he had taken responsibility and apologised for his actions.
Einfeld said he was determined to “live the life my mum would have been proud of” after her death earlier this month.
Ms McMahon told the court her client was “deeply remorseful” and while accepting the seriousness of the offences, she submitted Einfeld had “very good” prospects of rehabilitation, given he had addressed his stimulant addiction and mental illnesses.
She ultimately appealed an intensive correction order which is a jail sentence to be served in the community.
Judge Jennie Girdham SC has reserved her judgment for a later date.
Originally published as Ex-Waverley councillor Sam Einfeld to be sentenced for bloodied assault of his elderly godmother
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