Real estate agent Simon Cameron Birse in Maroochydore court for assault

A Sunshine Coast real estate agent of almost 20 years may lose his real estate licence after he pleaded guilty to punching his ex-partner as she lay on the floor.

Simon Birse leaves Maroochydore District Court.

A Sunshine Coast real estate agent faces losing his industry accreditation after he was sentenced for “excessively” punching his ex-partner in the head.

Simon Cameron Birse, now 47, was sentenced to three months’ prison suspended for three years in Maroochydore District Court on October 17, 2022, after pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard Birse faced trial for other related charges but had been found not guilty by a jury.

Crown prosecutor Nicola Hamilton said Birse was on top of his former partner while she was lying on the ground and he punched her 3-4 times to the face with his fist in a hammer-like motion on June 14, 2020.

Ms Hamilton said Birse acted excessively in response to an assault by his former partner.

The woman was left in pain with bruising and an ambulance officer discovered haematomas on the back of her head.

Simon Birse leaves Maroochydore District Court.

In his summary, Judge Porter said photographs of the woman’s face after the assault were evident of “heavy blows”.

Judge Porter said the assault occurred after Birse’s former partner grabbed his testicles.

“I don’t accept you couldn’t have gotten away from her without inflicting those blows,” Judge Porter said.

Defence barrister Nathan Turner said his client grew up in Newcastle and had no children.

Mr Turner told the court Birse moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2004 to get into real estate and has remained in the industry ever since.

Mr Turner said if Birse received a conviction for an offence of violence punishable by more than three years’ imprisonment he would be automatically deemed not a suitable person to hold a real estate licence.

Due to assault occasioning bodily harm carrying a maximum sentence of seven years, Mr Turner said he would “definitely” have to show cause as to why he shouldn’t lose his licence.

“The day after the offence he lost employment as a real estate agent … (the former partner) had a conversation with his employer,” Mr Turner said.

The court heard he had been able to regain employment with a property group on the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Turner said Birse was a volunteer at the Kawana Surf Club doing patrols on the beach but had since lost his blue card as a result of the allegations.

Judge Porter recorded a conviction against Birse.

Originally published as Real estate agent Simon Cameron Birse in Maroochydore court for assault