Thomas Towle, a 53-year-old man previously sentenced to ten years in prison for a hit-and-run incident in 2006 that resulted in the deaths of six teenagers, appeared before the Bendigo Magistrates Court on Thursday, facing fresh charges. He pleaded guilty to driving without a licence after being stopped by police while operating a Holden Commodore on the Calder Highway in central Victoria in September 2024.
During the traffic stop, Towle attempted to switch places with a passenger, but eventually admitted to being the driver. Additionally, he tested positive for methamphetamine. His lawyer, Walinda Bonne, stated that Towle had intended to secure alternative transport for his mother’s surprise birthday party, but the arrangements fell through, leading him to make the poor choice to drive.
Bonne acknowledged Towle’s “chequered” past, citing his lengthy criminal record, but emphasised his efforts towards rehabilitation. This includes seeking counselling for his substance abuse and connecting with Indigenous elders in Bendigo to explore employment opportunities. She advocated for a community corrections order rather than imprisonment.
However, police prosecutor Dave Somerton countered that incarceration was necessary to deter Towle from continuing to disregard the law, noting his history of 12 prior offences for driving while unlicensed or disqualified. Somerton expressed concern for road safety, stating, “I don’t want to be on the other side of the road with Mr Towle coming towards me,” emphasising the serious consequences of his actions.
Magistrate Megan Aumair decided to defer Towle’s sentencing until April, allowing him time to demonstrate his commitment to counselling and drug rehabilitation. She warned him that if he continued to violate the law, he would face jail time. She also revoked his driving licence and prohibited him from driving for 18 months.
Towle had previously received a ten-year sentence in 2008 for a tragic incident in Mildura in February 2006, where he collided with a group of teenagers, resulting in the deaths of Shane Hirst (16), Abby Hirst (17), and four others aged 15 to 16. This latest court case brings his troubled history back into the spotlight as he navigates the consequences of his actions and attempts to reform.