A forestry worker who killed another man with a single punch was jailed yesterday. Anthony David Harlen, 19, of Rai Valley, 50km northeast of Nelson, was sentenced in the High Court at Blenheim to two years and three months' jail for the manslaughter of Leslie Austin, 38.
Mr Austin died from an internal injury caused by a single punch to the head from Harlen at a party at a former forestry camp near the Rai Valley township on September 19 last year.
"The cause of the death was unusual and unexpected. It was a freak internal injury," Justice John Wild said.
The court was told that Mr Austin began drinking early in the afternoon of September 19 at the Rai Valley Tavern.
At the pub he met a group of people, including a neighbour of Harlen's from the former forestry camp and a woman with whom Harlen was developing a relationship.
By early evening the group were so drunk the barman refused to serve them.
At 7pm they left the pub and returned to the camp, where they met Harlen and continued drinking whisky and beer in Harlen's unit. Mr Austin, who had not been invited to the party but joined them anyway, became intoxicated and his behaviour deteriorated.
He was unsteady on his feet, knocking over ashtrays, breaking glasses and upsetting furniture.
He was also seen pestering other guests, including the woman Harlen had become involved with.
About 8pm Harlen sought the help of a friend who knew martial arts to try to eject Mr Austin from the party, but the men could not get him to leave.
Upset and angry at Mr Austin's behaviour, Harlen lost his temper and leaned forward, punching Mr Austin on the left side of his head.
The force of the blow catapulted Mr Austin's neck into the table top, twisting his head and rupturing an artery, causing internal bleeding in the brain. Mr Austin was dead within seconds.
Harlen told police that he had punched Mr Austin because he was angry at the way he had shown no respect for his house and the woman.
Justice Wild said there were several mitigating factors and Harlen had been remorseful and had co-operated fully with police.
- NZPA
Forestry worker jailed after deadly punch
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