In a tragic incident at a property near Daylesford, Victoria, Joshua Bainbridge witnessed his father, Colin Bainbridge, being set ablaze by their neighbour, 65-year-old Stuart Lee. On March 14, 2023, while they were felling trees together, Lee unexpectedly confronted Colin, shouting obscenities before retreating to summon police. His calls went unanswered, as none of the five attempts to contact the Daylesford station succeeded, and subsequent calls were redirected to other services, which offered little help.
Lee, claiming self-defence, later gathered petrol and a lighter before dousing Colin in fuel and igniting him. Joshua rushed to his father’s aid, attempting to extinguish the flames with his jumper before resorting to a hose. In distress, Colin, suffering severe burns, expressed disbelief at the attack as Joshua called for help.
Despite the prompt action, Colin was airlifted to The Alfred hospital but succumbed to his injuries later that day. Joshua shared his horrific experience in court, describing the harrowing memory of his father’s last moments. He expressed that the loss has profoundly impacted his life, stating, “The world is a worse place without him in it.”
Lee has since pleaded guilty to murder. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that he grapples with a personality disorder characterised by paranoia and a lack of empathy, which contributed to his violent actions. A psychiatrist confirmed that, although he did not exhibit psychopathy, Lee’s perception of being under threat informed his distressing behaviour.
His lawyer acknowledged the severity of the crime and the likelihood of a lengthy prison sentence, with Justice Andrew Tinney indicating that life imprisonment is a consideration for Lee. As the community processes this deeply unsettling incident, Joshua continually relives the tragedy and its emotional aftermath, highlighting the profound loss of a man who positively influenced many lives.