Bill Swale revealed as a property tycoon who buys and sells multimillion-dollar houses

The driver of a car that ploughed through a Daylesford pub, leaving five people dead, is a property tycoon who has been buying and selling multimillion-dollar houses for years.

The driver of a BMW that ploughed into a beer garden in Daylesford, killing five people, is a property tycoon who has been buying and selling multimillion-dollar houses for years.

William “Bill” Herbert Swale allegedly received nine alarms to treat his low blood sugar in the hour before the deadly crash on November 5, a court previously heard.

The New Zealand born 66-year-old was charged with 14 offences and will remain behind bars until a decision is made on Friday over whether to grant him bail.

Just weeks before the crash, Mr Swale and his wife, Thea, sold a home named ‘Tower Hill’ in Kyneton for an estimated $3m.

In December 2019 they also pocketed another $2.9m after they sold a picturesque property in Woodend, named ‘Grayton House’.

The Swales sold Grayton House in Woodend for $2.9m in 2019.

They also sold a home named ‘Tower Hill’ in Kyneton for an estimated $3m.

Blurry pictures on social media show the couple posing with their dog Rupert out the front of the property at the end of the sale with the caption “Last pic”.

The grand property includes a “self-contained cottage” that is listed on rental accommodation website Stayz.

“With its quaint, rustic ambience, The Shack has its own private entrance into the beautiful grounds of Grayton House,” the website says.

He paraded his property to radio hosts Ross Stevenson and Kate Stevenson. Picture: Ch 7

Inside the Edgecombe St home in Kyneton.

Mr Swale, who is an artist and art director, appeared on reality show A Moveable Feast on Channel 7 in 2017 where he paraded his Grayton House property to radio hosts Ross Stevenson and Kate Stevenson.

All of the rooms were decorated with furniture and collectibles picked up by Mr Swale on his European travels.

Domain’s website describes Ms Swale as someone who “isn’t afraid of a complicated renovation project” who has “tackled a few in her time”.

Mr Swale appeared on reality show A Moveable Feast on Channel 7. Picture: Ch 7

Ms and Mr Swale with their dog Rupert. Picture: Instagram

Mr Swale has also been a member of Macedon Ranges shooting club, Cobaw Sporting.

Images online show Mr Swale having his gun reloaded at shooting competition, the Cobaw Cup.

Mr Swale has been a member of Cobaw Sporting. Picture: Kathy Mexted

Mr Swale and his wife were also on a panel of residents in the Macedon Ranges who opposed the development of a work depot in 2006.

A report into the proposed facility in Woodend shows more than 100 residents attempted to halt the project due to safety concerns in the area including the “increased risk of traffic accidents”.

“One of the overriding concerns of submitters was the mater of vehicle and pedestrian safety as well as the increased level of noise likely to be generated in Old Lancefield Rd once the development is completed,” the document read.

Point Cook’s Pratibha Sharma, her nine-year-old daughter Anvi, and Sharma’s partner Jatin Chugh were all killed in the tragic Daylesford incident, along with Vivek Bhatia and his 11-year-old son, from Tarneit.

The court on Monday heard that Mr Swale had a lengthy history of “excessive speeding”, with 32 fines and one criminal offence.