Shaun Bartlett jailed over fatal Stonehaven paddock crash

A man who ran over and killed his friend in a Stonehaven paddock has been jailed, with the victim’s family detailing their anger and devastation outside court.

Yvonne Willman, sister of Justin Willman, speaks outside the County Court after the sentencing of Shaun Bartlett. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie.

A Gheringhap father who killed a close friend in a horrific drunk driving accident in a Stonehaven paddock has been jailed, as a judge detailed the devastating impact the incident has had.

Shaun Peter Bartlett, 43, appeared in Melbourne County Court via videolink on Friday for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death after running over his friend, Justin Willman.

Following the hearing, Mr Willman’s heartbroken family spoke of their anguish.

His sister, Veronica Willman, said Bartlett must live with what he did.

“Mates don’t do that to their mates, they just don’t do that,” she said.

Shaun Bartlett in 2023.

“Shaun has got to pay for this the rest of his life and so he should. He was supposed to be a mate and mates do not do that… to leave him there, it’s hard to accept that.

“To leave him lying there on the ground, I’m sorry but that is just not acceptable.

Ms Willman said there was “no waking up from this nightmare”.

“It’s just been so hard, not only are we grieving, but we’re mad at the same time,” she said.

Another of Mr Willman’s sisters, Yvonne, said the family missed him dearly.

“(The) best brother ever,” she said.

“Let’s hope this sets a precedent for those who want to drink and drive, don’t, do not, because our lives are not the same and never will be ever again.

“We miss him every day. It’s horrendous, we’re just in disbelief.

“We expect to hear from him every day and it’s still hard to believe he’s actually gone...52 is way too young, way too young.”

In delivering her sentence, judge Sandra Davis said it was a tragic case that showed how the lives of so many could be shattered in just a few moments.

Judge Davis sentenced Bartlett to six years in prison, with a non-parole period of four-and-a-half.

Judge Sandra Davis told the court Justin Willman's loss will be felt forever by his family. Picture; supplied.

Bartlett and another friend had been drinking at a makeshift campsite by a dam on a property in Stonehaven since the early afternoon on January 28 last year, before being joined by Mr Willman.

The court heard Bartlett repeatedly climbed into his ute so he could fetch beer and pizza from the nearby house.

Roaring drunk, Bartlett accidentally reversed over Mr Willman during one such run, killing him instantly.

Moments before the crash, Bartlett and Mr Willman were heard joking about Bartlett’s inability to find the reverse gear after driving into a tree.

After hitting Mr Willman, Bartlett drove around the property for a few moments, hitting fence posts before crashing into a ditch by the side of the road, where he was found, passed out.

Bartlett had a blood alcohol reading of 0.262 at the time and had no recollection of the crash, but had recalled drinking “half a slab of beer”.

Judge Davis outlined the grief and devastation Mr Willman’s death has wrought on his family, with 10 of the popular mechanic and father’s close friends and family providing the court with victim impact statements.

Judge Davis told the court Bartlett was born and raised in Geelong, and described himself as a functional alcoholic prior to killing Mr Willman.

He began to drink and smoke cannabis at 16, but had maintained employment and had a long work history, and no prior convictions.

Following the accident, Bartlett hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol, the court heard, and was “riddled with severe shock, grief and remorse” at killing his close friend.

A psychologist concluded that he would likely develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Judge Davis said she took into account the six character references provided to the court, as well as the defence’s submissions and Bartlett’s remorse.

She concluded that Bartlett had “excellent” prospects for rehabilitation and was unlikely to reoffend.

Bartlett has spent 67 days in prison, which will be subtracted from his sentence.

Originally published as Shaun Bartlett jailed over fatal Stonehaven paddock crash