The bus driver at the centre of the tragic wedding bus crash in Greta is now behind bars after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of 10 wedding guests.
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Ten manslaughter charges against Brett Andrew Button were dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday as part of the plea deal.
"Each of those charges is withdrawn, and accordingly dismissed," magistrate Caleb Franklin said.
The 59-year-old Button pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death and several other charges stemming from the tragic bus crash on June 11 last year, which killed 10 and injured dozens more.
Each manslaughter charge would have carried a maximum penalty of 25 years, while the maximum penalty for each dangerous driving charge is 10 years.
Nine passengers were seriously hurt in the crash and Button pleaded guilty to nine counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
Ten negligent driving occasioning death offences, and multiple others, were listed as back-up charges. Others were listed as related.
A slew of other charges - as well as the 10 counts of manslaughter - were also dropped by prosecutors.
Button was committed to Newcastle District Court on May 30 where he will be handed a sentence date.
Button was behind the wheel of a bus travelling from a Hunter Valley wedding to the newlywed couple's hometown of Singleton when it rolled on Wine Country Drive and slammed into a guard rail.
Family members of victims, crash survivors and investigating police officers were in court or dialled in on the video link to watch as Button admitted his guilt to dangerous driving causing death.
He has been on bail since the day after the bus crash, but was taken into custody on Wednesday after prosecutors made a successful application for him to be detained.
"There will not be any resistance, Your Honour," defence solicitor Chris O'Brien said.
Button was flanked by family members as he headed into court through a media scrum on Wednesday morning, for the final time as a free man.
"The detention application is granted, bail is revoked and the offender is remanded in custody," Mr Franklin said.
"You'll need to go with the officers now."
Emotional scenes broke out in the crowded courtroom as Button was allowed to say goodbye to his supporters - including his wife - before being taken to the police cells.
The remand warrant was endorsed for Button to receive medical attention for his multiple health conditions.
In an unusual twist, the fact sheet which reveals how the tragedy unfolded on the night was not tendered to the court, and the details will remain off the court file until Button faces sentencing.
The DPP argued the families involved needed to have time to review the horror details before seeing them in the media, in a possible indication of how quickly the plea deal came together.
"I'm not of the view that would cause any prejudice to the offender," Mr Franklin said.
The Hunter Valley bus crash was Australia's worst road disaster in decades and sent shockwaves across tight-knit Hunter communities and the nation.
Several members of the Singleton community died in the crash.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
