A man has been sentenced for the manslaughter of his housemate, whose body was found in a green waste bin in Victoria. The Supreme Court of Victoria heard that Stephen Fleming, 47, killed 67-year-old Annette Brennan, an English teacher, in early July 2024. Her body was discovered at a waste management center in Epping, north of Melbourne, on July 3.

Fleming had moved into the Coolaroo share house with Brennan just a month prior after responding to an online advertisement. Prosecutor David Glynn stated that an autopsy could not determine the cause of death due to the severe damage inflicted on Brennan's body after it was processed by machinery at the waste facility. Traces of her blood were found in the home, but Fleming remained silent when questioned by detectives.

Initially charged with murder, which carries a standard sentence of 25 years, Fleming later pleaded guilty to manslaughter. His defense attorney, Michael McGrath, indicated that Fleming could be released in about ten years. Glynn emphasized the disrespect shown by Fleming in disposing of Brennan's body, calling it an "extremely callous act."

Brennan had expressed concerns about Fleming shortly after he moved in, telling friends that he had stolen her phone and that his behavior was unsettling. She reportedly said, "I don't like him. I just don't want him here." The last known sighting of her alive was shortly after midnight on July 1, 2024, when she made an online banking transaction.

On the morning of July 1, Fleming replaced the home's green waste bin with a neighbor's and placed Brennan's body inside. He then cleaned the house to eliminate any evidence. Security footage from a rubbish truck showed Fleming watching as the bin was emptied. Later that evening, he messaged another housemate, indicating he was looking to move in immediately.

In court, Brennan was remembered as a supportive and kind friend. One friend stated, "Annette enriched my life and those of many others." Long-time friend Nan Austin expressed her shock at the murder, saying, "No one should die like that and be stuffed in a wheelie bin as trash."

Fleming showed no remorse for his actions, and his defense attorney acknowledged the callousness of his behavior. At the time of the incident, Fleming was already serving a community corrections order for a previous conviction involving emergency workers. He appeared in court via video link and did not attend the hearing in person.