Shaun Bartlett pleads guilty to culpable driving causing death over paddock tragedy

A court has heard a man was five times over the legal alcohol limit when he ran over his friend, while the victim’s family has told the court of their shock, grief and heartbreak.

Shaun Bartlett leaving court in 2023.

The death of a Bannockburn father, run over in a paddock by his mate, has left his family shattered, a court has heard.

Shaun Peter Bartlett, 43, appeared in the County Court in Geelong on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to a single charge of culpable driving causing death after killing 52-year-old Justin Willman on January 28, 2023.

The court heard Mr Willman, Bartlett and a third man had been drinking around a campfire by a dam at the Stonehaven property Bartlett had been renting.

Prosecutor Richard Pirrie told the court that during the course of the evening, Bartlett had been driving back and forth between the makeshift campsite and house, “fetching alcohol and other items”.

Justin Willman.

Around 9.30pm Bartlett went to get pizzas from the house when he reversed over Mr Willman, before driving off, through a fence and into a ditch.

He was found by emergency services next to his ute, passed out and holding his phone and car keys, the court heard.

Mr Pirrie told the court that Bartlett had a blood alcohol reading of 0.262, more than five times the legal limit.

Mr Willman died at the scene.

There were few spare seats in the courtroom for the plea hearing, with ten victim impact statements being read to the court.

Family members described Mr Willman as a rock, the “link” that held their family together and whose death had left the family broken.

They described their shock and grief and how the world now seemed like “a foreign battleground with evil around every corner”.

Mr Willman’s older sister, Yvonne, spoke of the “absolute pain” and “unbearable feeling” she was living with. “We are broken,” she said.

Emergency services at the scene in Stonehaven. Picture: Mark Wilson

She said it was a “nightmarish reality” and words were “inadequate to convey the gut-wrenching torture” of losing her brother.

Mr Willman’s niece, Virginia, who gave birth days before Mr Willman was killed, spoke of the pain of her uncle never having the opportunity to meet the new addition to their family.

Nicole, Mr Willman’s younger sister, said her life had been split in two by the incident, which she said “changed my reality forever and continues to haunt me”.

“Grief has affected every facet of my life,” she said.

Both Mr Willman’s children said they dwelled on not being able to share milestones with their father.

“I shouldn’t have had to deal with the loss of my dad to become the person I am today,” son Lachlan said.

“As a result of someone’s actions, the closest I can get to see dad is his grave,” daughter Sian said.

Barlett’s lawyer, Sandra Wendlant told the court Bartlett accepted his actions caused Mr Willman’s death, and was remorseful, but “aware he’s going to spend a substantial time in custody”.

Since the crash Bartlett has abstained from drinking and attended counselling to address his alcohol use, Ms Wendlant said.

She said it was a “massive wake up call” for the father of two.

She told the court it was “probable” he may develop PTSD from the incident, and had been diagnosed with reactive anxiety and depression disorder.

Mr Bartlett was supported in court by his family.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 5 in Melbourne.

The makeshift campsite at the Stonehaven property. Picture: Mark Wilson

Originally published as Shaun Bartlett pleads guilty to culpable driving causing death over paddock tragedy