City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters councillor Scott William Sims charged with shoplifting, assault and theft by SA Police

A councillor from Adelaide’s east shoplifted groceries, assaulted a security guard “with a weapon” and stole money from an 84-year-old man, a court has heard.

An eastern-suburbs councillor has faced court charged with shoplifting groceries, using a weapon to assault a female security guard and stealing money from an 84-year-old man.

Norwood, Payneham and St Peters councillor Scott William Sims, 36, of Kent Town, has been charged with three offences arising from two alleged incidents in 2022.

SA Police documents, released to The Advertiser by the Adelaide Magistrates Court, allege Mr Sims’ first offence occurred at Norwood on March 8 last year.

They allege he committed theft by “taking property, namely cash in the value of $2500 or less, dishonestly and without the consent” of its owner.

Councillor Scott Sims. Picture: Supplied

They further allege Mr Sims “intended to deprive the owner” – whom The Advertiser has chosen not to name – of that money “permanently” and “encroach” upon his rights.

Police further allege the offence is aggravated because Mr Sims “committed the offence knowing that the victim was, at the time of the offence, 84 years old”.

They ask the court also order Mr Sims pay the alleged victim $1000 compensation.

SA Police further allege Mr Sims committed two more offences on November 5, 2022, also at Norwood.

In their documents, they allege he “dishonestly took property” from Foodland Norwood “without the owner’s consent”.

That property, they allege, was “various grocery items to a value of $2500 or less”.

Police further allege that, on the same day, Mr Sims “used or threatened to use an offensive weapon” while assaulting the supermarket’s female security guard.

They ask the court to order Mr Sims pay $117.73 to Foodland Norwood was compensation “for items stolen”.

SA Police allege Mr Sims shoplifted at Norwood Foodland. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Under South Australian law, the maximum penalty for theft is 10 years, increasing to 15 years for an aggravated offence.

The maximum penalty for aggravated assault, meanwhile, is three years’ imprisonment.

However, in their documents, SA Police have charged Mr Sims with summary versions of all three offences – meaning they will be dealt with by the Magistrates Court.

That jurisdiction may impose up to five years’ jail only for any offence it finds proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Mr Sims’ matter has been listed twice in court since he was charged, and he has yet to enter pleas – he will face court again in May.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters declined to comment on the allegations.

“As the matter is currently before the court, the council is not in a position to make any comments regarding this matter,” she said.

The Advertiser has sought comment from Mr Sims.