Sophie Boddington charged with assaulting Jordan Carswell

The matter of a Sydney recruitment professional assaulting her partner and colleague after he cheated on her before it was dismissed has been described as “very eastern suburbs” in court.

Sophie Boddington left Waverley Local Court in Sydney after a domestic common assault charge was dismissed under the Mental Health Act. Picture: NCA NewsWire

A seasoned recruitment professional who assaulted her former partner and colleague after he confessed he had been unfaithful has had her charge dismissed on mental health grounds.

A prosecutor described Sophie Boddington’s offence of striking her ex during an argument over infidelity and drugs – for which she was discharged into a mental health professional’s care – as a “very eastern suburbs matter”.

Court documents reveal two heated arguments unfolded after Boddington learned her partner had cheated on her, then days later allegedly consumed cocaine at a company party.

Magistrate Michael Barko said the interpersonal issues and Boddington’s mental health had caused the “steam valve to release on the pressure cooker”.

“We’re all human, we have frailties,” Mr Barko said at Waverley Local Court on Monday.

“We can lose our temper, we can lose control – yes it’s domestic violence, it’s an assault, I wold regard it to be the lower end of the scale.”

Sophie Boddington outside court on Monday. Picture: NewsWire

In a series of bizarre twists, Boddington’s usual solicitor was unable to represent her because the Crowdstrike cyber outage disrupted his flight to Sydney, while Mr Barko had to disclose Boddington’s doctor was his former high school classmate.

Documents tendered to Waverley Local Court reveal Boddington and former partner Jordan Carswell had been together for eight months after meeting at work.

The pair worked at Sydney human resources firm IBC Recruitment.

“While the accused and victim were lunching (at a venue in Bondi), the victim told the accused about the affair he had while the accused was in Thailand,” police facts state.

“The two parties engaged in a verbal altercation and the accused threw water in the victim’s face.”

At their Bondi apartment, the pair continued to argue and Boddington struck Carswell to the right temple.

The assault came to light three days later when concerned neighbours called police over a subsequent verbal spat between the pair.

“The accused and the victim attended a work function at Bopp and Tone in Sydney, and the victim left the event early without the accused, causing the accused to be upset with him,” police facts state.

“When the accused was later informed that the victim had left the event to use cocaine, this led to the accused become even further frustrated with the victim.”

Boddington outside court on Monday. Picture: NewsWire

When police attended their apartment that night, they saw bruising on Carswell’s temple and Boddington’s wrists from where he had tried to hold her away from him.

“(The victim stated) the accused had assaulted him after he informed her about the affair,” police facts state.

“Police asked the accused how she received the bruising to her wrist and the accused stated ‘I hit him’.”

Carswell declined to give a statement to police and has since moved back to the United Kingdom.

Boddington’s charge was dismissed under the Mental Health Act. Picture: NewsWire

Boddington pleaded guilty to domestic common assault, which was dismissed on mental health grounds, and she was discharged into a mental health professional’s care.

The court heard she had a 10-year long career in recruitment after moving to Australia from the United Kingdom and had no criminal history.

Since the incident, Boddington has been in treatment for anxiety and depression and the matter was diverted on those grounds.

“Is she likely to endanger the safety of herself, the complainant, or the public? No, he’s gone, see you later,” Mr Barko said.

“She’s moving forwards and onwards – I don’t consider her a likelihood of being any danger to anyone.”

An associated apprehended domestic violence order was adjourned to July 25 for negotiations between Boddington’s solicitor and police.