Shaun Baensch: Plea hearing over hit-run manslaughter of Bryce Trower
Spurned by rumours of an affair, a Newcomb dad went out of his way to hunt down his former friend before hitting and killing him with his car. Afterwards, he lied to police and removed parts of the car in a bid to avoid apprehension.
A “remorseless” killer driver mowed down his former friend in a Norlane street in a callous and targeted attack, before lying and attempting to cover up his involvement.
Shaun Baensch, 30, appeared in the Supreme Court on Friday for a further plea hearing, having pleaded guilty to manslaughter by criminal negligence and failing to render assistance over the December 2023 death of 31-year-old Bryce Trower.
Court documents released to the Geelong Advertiser reveal Baensch, who was disqualified from driving at the time, was behind the wheel of a Holden Rodeo ute when the collision occurred at about 6.43pm on Forster St in Norlane.
In the passenger seat was Baensch’s de facto partner, Stephanie Dunlop.
Baensch and Mr Trower had been close friends, but their relationship had soured and Baensch harboured a dislike for the victim, amid rumours of an affair between Mr Trower and Ms Dunlop.
In the lead-up to the fatal crash, Baensch would regularly deviate from his regular route home hoping to come across Mr Trower, court documents state.
Ms Dunlop was aware of Baensch’s intentions and as Baensch slowed past Mr Trower’s address, she said: “Don’t be an idiot, just keep driving”.
The couple then saw Mr Trower riding his scooter on his way to visit a friend in Forster St.
“That’s Bryce, I should get out and hit him,” Baensch said.
Ms Dunlop replied, “Don’t be f —king stupid”
Moments later, Baensch struck Mr Trower from behind, at approximately 45km/h.
The force of the crash sent Mr Trower into the windscreen, shattering it before he was thrown into the air and landed on the road, skidding about seven metres.
He died at the scene, just 400m from his home.
Baensch, who made no attempt to stop and render assistance, drove off.
It wasn’t long before the police investigation zeroed in on Baensch. He was interviewed on December 19 and lied to police, telling them he’d sold the car to another man.
He even showed the police handwritten receipts confirming the fake purchase. However, it was soon discovered the man Baensch said he sold the car to had died a month earlier.
It wasn’t the only attempt Baensch made to cover up his involvement.
When police located the Holden several parts had been removed, including the windscreen, front bumper and the plates with the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN).
Baensch’s associate Jake Mawson helped him remove the parts.
On May 23, 2024, Baensch was interviewed again and claimed he was “unaware” of the victim’s identity when the crash occurred and the victim had “fallen in front” of the Holden.
But when presented with the evidence Baensch relented and admitted he’d wanted to assault Mr Trower and had previously chased him in his car, but Mr Trower had got away on his scooter – Baensch hadn’t wanted that to happen again.
He said he’d heard rumours the victim and Ms Dunlop had a sexual relationship in 2021, which Mr Trower had refused to confirm.
Not knowing if the rumours were true “drove him crazy”.
The prosecution case was Baensch deliberately drove his vehicle at the victim intending to knock him from his scooter in order to assault him.
On Friday, barrister Rahmin de Kretser, for Baensch, made a number of submissions including that Baensch was heavily using GHB at the time and had a history of substance abuse.
“These drugs cause people to do things that are just inhumane and are not part of someone’s makeup,” Mr de Kretser said.
“When he’s on drugs, he’s a completely different person.”
Baensch had generalised anxiety, depression and an avoidant personality disorder, the court heard, which had worsened in the wake of his mother’s death in 2023.
It was also submitted he had developed PTSD since the collision.
Mr de Kretser conceded Baensch’s conduct from the collision to his arrest could only be considered as “absolutely remorseless” and caused Mr Trower’s family further pain.
However, the 18 months he’d spent in custody had given him “clarity” and he was now “genuinely remorseful for what (he) did”.
“He’s sobered up, he’s taken responsibility,” Mr de Kretser said.
Crown prosecutor Patrick Bourke KC noted Baensch’s guilty plea only came after a sentence indication and there had been “a lot of water under the bridge before he got to that position”.
Justice Peter Kidd will sentence Baensch at a later date.
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Originally published as Shaun Baensch: Plea hearing over hit-run manslaughter of Bryce Trower
