Accused killer was on a court order for assaulting and choking another woman

A tattooed man who was hunted down for questioning over the murder of a Sydney school teacher is currently under a court imposed supervision order for assaulting, stalking and choking another woman.

Police are seeking Ashley Gaddie for questioning in relation to the murder of Dannielle Finlay-Jones.

The man accused of killing a Sydney school teacher in a Western Sydney home has a lengthy history of assaulting and harassing women, and is currently serving a two-year sentence for stalking and choking his former lover.

Ashley Gaddie, 33, a drilling mechanic, is also on bail for allegedly assaulting a different woman, and sexually touching her without consent.

He went on the run after police allege he fled a Cranebrook house through a window in the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving his new girlfriend Dannielle Finlay-Jones to die in bed from horrific head injuries.

Over the past five years, Gaddie has appeared before NSW courts on 14 separate occasions for crimes committed against women, and been the subject of five Apprehended Violence Orders.

Dannielle Finlay-Jones had not long met Gaddie and had introduced him to her friends.

Forensic police comb the house where her body was found.

In December last year, Milton Local Court magistrate Lisa Viney convicted Gaddie of assaulting his former girlfriend at her south coast home and intentionally choking her without consent. He was also convicted of assaulting and stalking the woman.

Gaddie was sentenced to a two-year Community Correction Order and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service work. His sentence doesn’t expire until December 2023.

Attorney General Mark Speakman has urgently requested more information about Gaddie’s case.

“I am extremely concerned and have urgently requested information to better understand the circumstances of the case,” Mr Speakman said.

Despite his extensive history of trouble with women, Gaddie had not shied away from dating.

On his Tinder profile, he says he loves “travel, road trips, hiking and the gym”.

“I recently broke up with my girlfriend because she didn’t know how I like my coffee,” his bio says.

Chief Inspector John Nelson said on Monday that the attack was clearly targeted. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Gaddie is believed to have met Ms Finlay-Jones on the dating app about a month ago, and the pair had met up a few times before she invited him to the Marsden Brewhouse, in western Sydney, on Saturday night.

There, she introduced him to friends for the first time and enjoyed dinner and drinks before going back to her friend’s place to stay the night.

Police believe that sometime before 5am, a man caused fatal head injuries to Ms Finlay-Jones before fleeing the house through a bedroom window.

The couple who own the house have told police they assumed Ms Finlay-Jones and her new boyfriend were having a sleep in after a late night when they didn’t appear in the morning.

At around 2.30pm that afternoon, the concerned friends opened the door to the spare bedroom and found Ms Finlay-Jones unconscious with massive head injuries.

Paramedics were unable to save her, and she died at the scene.

Ms Finlay-Jones’ distraught mother Jacky shared a police statement asking for help to find the man they want to speak with over her daughter’s death.

Police said the man “should not be approached and anyone who sees him should call 000”.

The mother and daughter, who lived together in Kogarah, were both life members of the Ramsgate RSL Football Club where Ms Finlay-Jones had recently been awarded for 25 years’ service.

“Condolences Jacky to you and everyone associated with Danielle. Thoughts are with you, lots of love mate,” one friend wrote.

Another friend wrote: “I’m so sorry Jacky. Sending love and support during this horrible time. We love you Dannielle Finlay-Jones you deserved better, you beautiful soul.”