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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Sam Rigney

Accused's stunning reversal in middle of Cessnock tip murder trial

Shane Mears Brian Costello Cessnock Murder
SEARCH: Specialist police at Cessnock Waste Management Centre in July, 2020. Adam Andrew Bidner on Monday pleaded guilty to murder over the death of Shane Mears.

In a stunning reversal only a few days into his trial, Adam Bidner on Monday morning pleaded guilty to murder over the Cessnock tip death of a rival scrap metal scavenger, admitting he was the man behind the wheel of a four-wheel-drive that ran over 54-year-old Shane Mears.

Bidner, 32, of Aberdare, had maintained his innocence in relation to Mr Mears's death as recently as last week when he was arraigned in Newcastle Supreme Court and pleaded not guilty to murder, backup charges of manslaughter and dangerous driving occasioning death and a separate offence of failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death.

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