Sam Einfeld: Ex-Waverley councillor avoids jail over drug-fuelled attack on his godmother

A former Sydney councillor who drove his car through his godmother’s garage door before brutally attacking her has avoided being sent back to jail.

Sam Einfeld says he was searching for his dementia-suffering mother when he attacked long-time family friend Margot Priday on April 23, 2022.

After driving his car through Ms Priday’s garage door, Einfeld chased the then-79-year-old, grabbing her arm and pulling her to the floor.

He then kicked her numerous times and trod on her hand, leaving her with cuts, bruises and a fractured finger.

Einfeld became enraged that Ms Priday was not returning his calls as he attempted to locate his mother, who he believed to be at the home, the court was told.

District Court Judge Jennie Girdham sentenced the 45-year-old on Thursday to a jail term of one year and nine months to be served as an intensive corrections order.

The sentence took into account his time already spent behind bars.

The former Waverley councillor let out a sigh of relief as the judge revealed the sentence would be served from within the community and would not put him back in custody.

He was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service.

Einfeld had developed an addiction to prescription stimulants and had taken up to 14 tablets of the drug modafinil on the day of the attack, the court was told.

After being diagnosed with ADHD, Einfeld was also given Ritalin, which he also abused in the days leading up to the attack.

“That diagnosis was mistaken,” Judge Girdham said.

The judge noted Einfeld is drug-free after completing a rehabilitation program and remorseful for his actions.

“I accept his expressions of great shame at what he has done,” she said.

But she also acknowledged the attack left Ms Priday with concerns for her safety, which had an ongoing impact on her daily life.

“She was chased, grabbed, circled and paced as she lay on the ground,” Judge Girdham said.

“The court well appreciates why it is she remains fearful of him.”

In a statement read by her daughter Polly, Ms Priday previously said she recalled Einfeld only fled when he heard sirens.

“Would you have stopped or would I be dead?” the elderly woman questioned.

Einfeld gave evidence during the same sentence hearing, describing his remorse over the “horrible thing” that he did.

“I can never forgive myself for what I did and I am sorry,” he said through tears.

Einfeld was sentenced earlier in October over another two incidents, involving assaults on Polly Priday and his mother, who has since died.

He was handed a 12-month conditional release order for both offences after the court was told the assaults were the result of recklessness rather than intent.

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