A judge has warned killer bus driver Brett Button he can expect a lengthy prison sentence but told the victims’ families that “justice is not about revenge”.
Newcastle District Court Judge Roy Ellis on Monday urged restraint in the packed courtroom during a three-day sentencing hearing for Button, 59, who caused one of Australia’s deadliest crashes, killing 10 people and injuring 25, in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales.
“The sentence I ultimately impose will be, as all parties agree, a lengthy sentence that may or may not please everyone,” Judge Ellis said.
‘This ruling is about justice. Justice for the criminal and justice for the victims of his crime and their families.
“Justice, however, is not about revenge, but about accountability, deterrence and punishment.”
Judge Ellis said Button’s family and friends were in court to support him, but what had happened was not his fault.
“You are not here to belittle your loss or your mental or physical trauma,” the judge told the devastated family and friends of the victims.
‘No one is here to abuse you or minimize your trauma.
A judge has warned killer bus driver Brett Button he can expect a lengthy prison sentence but told the grieving families of the victims that “justice is not about revenge”.
Newcastle District Court Judge Roy Ellis on Monday called for restraint in the packed courtroom during a three-day sentencing hearing for Button (pictured, friends and family of the victims were present at the sentencing)
‘So please don’t let your anguish, anger or frustrations cause you to yell or act out against people who bear no responsibility for the death or serious injury of your loved ones.’
Button pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death, nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 counts of causing bodily harm by careless driving.
Prosecutors dropped 10 murder charges against Button after his guilty plea in a deal criticized by several of the victims’ families.
The manslaughter charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, while the lesser charge of dangerous driving causing death carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Button was arrested after losing control of a bus carrying 35 wedding guests from Wandin Valley Estate to Singleton at around 11.30pm on June 11, 2023.
The 57-seat bus crashed into a railing and flipped onto its side.
Button had taken the roundabout on Wine Country Drive in Greta too fast, telling some passengers “this next part is going to be fun” before the fatal crash in thick fog.
Forensic analysts believe Button took 400mg of the opioid Tramadol in the 24 hours before the crash.
Button accepted that his driving ability was impaired by the opioid, which can cause drowsiness, mental confusion and impaired visual function.
In an attempt to foster a party atmosphere on the bus, Button said: “If you liked that corner, you’ll like this one” and “oh, it’s nothing” when concerned passengers described him as “crazy” and told him to slow down.
Loved ones of the victims who died in the accident arrive at Newcastle court
A visibly shaken woman is seen among friends and family of the crash victims outside the courthouse.
A passenger told his teammate Button that he was “getting there fast” as he approached the roundabout.
Button told police he did not brake at the roundabout because he was already going too slowly, but investigators estimated he was driving at nearly 60 km/h.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser charges after accepting his driving was dangerous because he had taken more Tramadol than the maximum amount recommended by doctors, had engaged in risky behaviour and had driven too fast to safely negotiate the roundabout.
Button, who had been taking Tramadol for a back injury he suffered in the 1990s, previously released a statement expressing remorse for his actions: “I am devastated by what has happened, and for that I am truly and deeply sorry.”
The 10 people who died in the crash were: Nadene McBride and her daughter Kyah, Kane Symons, Andrew Scott and his wife Lynan, Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen.
Many of those on board were members of the Singleton Roosters Australian rules football club and had previously attended the wedding of Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell.
The sentencing hearing continues.
Button’s defence lawyer Paul Rosser KC arrives in court on Monday
