A man charged over the death of a young motorcyclist last May has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
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Damien Russell Janson, 31, was charged with murder two days after the death of Jake Smith in Maddingley, near Bacchus Marsh, on May 20.
However the prosecution withdrew the murder charge at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Thursday and Janson pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.
Mr Smith, 24, was riding a motorcycle on Woolpack Road when he was killed about 7.15pm. It is understood a ute struck Mr Smith and he died at the scene.
It is believed Janson and a 28-year-old Pentland Hills man were travelling in the ute which was being driven by a 36-year-old Dandenong man.
The driver of the ute allegedly failed to stop at the scene, but he stopped up the road a short time later. He and the 28-year-old passenger remained at the scene while Janson allegedly fled on foot.
Two days later, Janson presented himself to police and he was interviewed. Police believe he and Smith were known to each other.
IN OTHER NEWS
Wearing a light-coloured shirt, Janson appeared in court via a video link from prison for a committal mention on Thursday morning.
When asked if he was pleading guilty or not guilty to the charge of manslaughter, Janson replied to the magistrate, "guilty, Your Honour".
Janson, of Pentland Hills, was remanded in custody until February 24 when a plea hearing was set down for in the Supreme Court in Melbourne.
He did not make an application for bail.
