Shane Timothy Bausch pleads guilty to recklessly causing injury

A magistrate jailed the career crook over a 2023 knife fight that left another man with nerve damage and scarring.

Shane Bausch, pictured in 2013, has had regular contact with the law.

A lifelong crook who slashed a man in the face with a knife in a shopping centre carpark has been jailed.

Shane Timothy Bausch, 33, appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court via video-link on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to charges including recklessly causing injury and possessing a drug of dependence.

Bausch fronted court on five matters – four of which were resolved with guilty pleas.

The fifth was set to go to a contested hearing next week, but Bausch ultimately accepted magistrate Franz Holzer’s sentence indication.

In the most serious case, Bausch got into an altercation with a man known to him in the parking lot of Corio Village Shopping Centre on January 21, last year.

Both men pulled out knives, and Bausch slashed the man’s face.

The injury resulted in an 8cm laceration that left him with a visible scar and permanent nerve damage, the court heard.

Although the altercation took place in January, and Bausch was arrested at the time, the court heard the 33-year-old was not charged until months later.

Police prosecutor Chris Sinfield told the court the prosecution weren’t going to allege who started the altercation, but it was the police’s position there was “an aggressor” and the parties had a “history of conflict”.

Mr Holzer told Bausch he would jail him for eight months across all the charges he faced, minus the 211 days he has already spent on remand.

Bausch’s lawyer, Richard Jakobson, told the court Bausch “loves his family” but had a troubled upbringing and a degree of institutionalisation.

Bausch’s education finished after grade six, and he had enjoyed “limited” employment opportunities, the court heard. 

Mr Jakobson told the court his client “couldn’t recall” the last time he had a job.

The court heard Bausch has an acquired brain injury, having suffered “significant head injuries” in 2008 when in the boot of a car that was being chased by police.

Bausch first appeared in court at the age of 16 in 2007, and since then has been in and out of jail every year, the court heard.

However, Bausch wanted to turn his life around, the court heard.

He had a partner – “something he doesn’t want to lose” – access to support programs upon release, and wanted to start a family, Mr Jakobson said told the court.

Mr Jakobson said Bausch’s prospects of rehabilitation were “guarded, but not extinguished”.

Mr Holzer took a differing view; telling the court he was troubled by Bausch’s prospects.

“They’re more than guarded, I think,” he said.

Mr Holzer said despite his misgivings, he hoped he was wrong, telling Bausch he had access to supports and it was a “question of what you make of it”.

“I’m not going to tell you how to suck eggs, I’m not going to tell you how to live your life,” Mr Holzer said.

“Don’t let yourself down.” 

Originally published as Shane Timothy Bausch pleads guilty to recklessly causing injury