Nowra man Jayden Simms jailed for attacking woman in Sydney CBD hotel
His colleagues lauded his “integrity, dedication and professionalism”, however an award-winning council worker is a convicted woman basher who resorts to “violence to deal with conflict”.
NSW
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A regional council worker lauded for his “integrity, dedication and professionalism” has been exposed as a cowardly thug after belting a woman in a Sydney hotel suite.
Jayden Simms, 25, was sentenced in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday to 14 months in jail after being found guilty at a hearing earlier this year of assault occasioning actual and contravening in apprehended domestic violence order.
Documents tendered in court state Simms was with his partner at the Rydges World Square Hotel in the heart of Sydney in September, 2023, when the horrific abuse occurred.
The two were having an argument regarding a key fob when Simms became aggressive, backed the woman into a corner and grabbed her neck.
The documents state Simms threw the victim onto the bed before holding her down by the throat.
“Go to sleep, go to sleep. Shut up,” Simms yelled as he held a pillow over the woman’s face.
The documents state the woman begged Simms to stop, but he did not relent, punching her eight times in the leg.
Security came to the door and the victim went to answer, but before she did she went to the bathroom to clean her bleeding face and take photos of her injuries.
Documents state she answered the door and told security everything was okay, though she agreed to leave the room after collecting her belongings.
The woman closed the door, but before leaving Simms kicked her three times in the leg.
In court, Magistrate Geraldine Beattie revoked a community correction order Simms was on at the time of the bashing for common assault and intimidation against the same victim and resentenced the offender to two months in jail as part of the overall 14-month sentence.
The court heard Simms had mental health issues, as well as a problem with alcohol and a difficulty forming prosocial relationships.
As Simms began tearing up from the custodial audiovisual booth, Ms Beattie said the offender resorted to “domestic violence to deal with conflict”.
Ms Beattie read out a glowing letter of support penned by Simms’ boss at Shoalhaven City Council who praised his “integrity, dedication and professionalism” and his commitment to resuming his employment when he is released from custody.
The letter also noted Simms had been recognised for his work by being awarded the 2023 Hunter Valley Training Company’s Indigenous Apprentice/Trainee of the Year and 2023 United Services Union Apprentice of the Year.
In sentencing, the magistrate said Simms put the woman through a “traumatic experience” and described the hearing four months prior as “extraordinarily emotional”.
Ms Beattie acknowledged Simms had shown “remorse and insight into his offending” and recognised this was his first time in custody.
Simms will be released on parole on October 31 with the full sentence expiring on June 30, 2025.
Got a court yarn? Email dylan.arvela@news.com.au
Originally published as Nowra man Jayden Simms jailed for attacking woman in Sydney CBD hotel
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