Trevor Francis Stewart admits causing crash which killed SE couple Donald ‘Don’ and Arsenia ‘Senny’ McInnes

On the day he was due to stand trial, a man has admitted guilt over a fiery crash which killed much loved South-East couple Don and Senny McInnes, a court has heard.

A man has admitted causing the deaths of much loved South-East restaurant owners Donald and Arsenia “Senny” McInnes just as he was due to stand trial, a court has heard.

Trevor Francis Stewart, 37, of Adelaide appeared in the District Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving over a crash near Naracoorte in the state’s South-East on March 12, 2019 crash.

The court heard he “drove in a manner that was dangerous” and was contrite but had “no explanation” for causing the crash which killed the couple.

Trevor Stewart pictured outside of the Supreme Court after pleading guilty to causing the crash near Naracoorte in 2019.

The crash ignited a blaze that incinerated his van and the couple’s SUV on Lucindale Rd, about 25km west of Naracoorte.

Mr and Mrs McInnes, aged 60 and 49 respectively, owned the Old Wool Store restaurant at Kingston SE, and had been planning their retirement when the horror crash cut their lives short.

Just a month earlier, they had celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary.

Don and Senny McInnes had just celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary when they were killed in the accident.

Son Brian, 22, at the family home in Kingston with a photo of his parents in 2019. Picture: Dean Martin

At the time, police said Stewart was also injured in the crash.

Judge Geraldine Davison, who presided over the hearing via video link from Mt Gambier, queried whether Stewart should be taken into custody given his guilty pleas.

“Mr Stewart has now pleaded guilty to two very serious offences. In the ordinary course I would revoke his bail today,” she said.

“Is there any reason why I should not do that?”

Nick Healy, for Stewart, said his client should remain on bail because of an agreed factual position between prosecution and defence which was “perhaps somewhat mitigating”.

“This offending, I say, lacks aggravating features such as there is no allegation of speed, alcohol or drugs,” he said.

“This is not one of those cases where bail would need to be revoked and I ask that he remain in the community.”

He said he would be asking the court suspend any custodial penalty imposed during sentencing.

“I also will be submitting how contrite he is about what occurred, something that he really has no explanation for.”

Mr Healy said Stewart had an upcoming appointment with a forensic psychologist and had “significant psychological issues” resulting from the crash.

Judge Davison ordered Stewart return to court in September, and said the next court appearance would be heard in both Adelaide and Mt Gambier.

“I do have a view that these offences in particular are important offences in the community given the nature of them,” she said.

“I will hear submissions in Adelaide but the court will be open and there will be AVL proceedings in Mt Gambier.”

Stewart attempted to hide his face and hurled abuse at waiting media as he left court.