Hunter admits camp death charge

Andrew Mears is supported by a family member outside the Taupo District Court today. Photo / Alan Gibson

A hunter who has admitted careless use of a firearm causing the death of Rosemary Ives says he doesn't feel he deserves to ever be happy again.

Andrew Mears, 25, a motor trimmer from Hamilton, admitted the firearms charge in Taupo District Court this morning.

He was remanded to a residential address until November 18. The remand date would allow the prosecution to consider further charges, Judge James Weir said.

Ms Ives, 25, was shot dead on Friday October 22 while brushing her teeth with her boyfriend Adam Hyndman at a DOC campsite near Turangi.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Andrew Allerton told the court that Mears had a permit to hunt in the Kaimanawa Forest Park, but one clause prohibited hunting during darkness.

On the Friday evening of Labour Weekend, Mears and three companions thought they saw an animal as they drove to their campsite in the park.

The four set off in their two-door Toyota Hilux, with one of them carrying a spotlight.

Mears saw two lights in the bush, which he thought were the eyes of a deer, but were in fact a head torch worn by Ms Ives. He fired off a shot, which hit Ms Ives at the edge of her mouth.

The court was told Mears and his associates had to drive a short distance to get to a spot where they could use a cellphone to summons help.

A paramedic who was flown in by helicopter found Ms Ives had suffered fatal injuries.

Mr Allerton said Mears had cooperated fully with police, had admitted the facts, and was extremely remorseful for his actions.

Mears' lawyer, Roger Laybourne, read a statement outside court in which Mears conveyed his "absolute sorrow and remorse" to Ms Ives' family and friends.

"I can never imagine the pain you must all be enduring, every second of the day I wish that I could turn the clock back," the statement said.

Mears said he had asked his wife - an early childhood teacher like Ms Ives - to get rid of all his hunting equipment

"I do not want to ever have anything to do with hunting again, nor do I want my infant son to.

"I don't feel that I ever deserve to be happy again, even with my son. How could I when there is another family in so much pain."

Mears said he was not asking for sympathy or understanding and pledged to try to make the court process "as painless as possible for you".

Mr Laybourn told a strong news media contingent that Mears was prepared to accept whatever punishment was imposed - even the likelihood of a prison sentence.

- With NZPA

Full statement from Andrew Mears as read by his lawyer:

To the family and friends of Rosemary Ives I wish to convey my absolute sorrow and remorse for the being the person responsible for taking the life of Rosemary.

I'm so sorry for the dreadful loss that I have caused you all.

I can never imagine the pain you must all be enduring, every second of the day I wish that I could turn the clock back.

I just want to wake up and wish it never happened. I know this is selfish and it will be with me forever.

Rosemary was the same age as me and my wife and like my wife was an early childhood teacher.

I immediately arranged for my wife to take away all my hunting gear, my rifle, the safe and an antler I found on a previous trip.

I do not want to ever have anything to do with hunting again, nor do I want my infant son to.

I don't feel that I ever deserve to be happy again, even with my son. How could I when there is another family in so much pain.

I am not asking for your sympathy or understanding, I just need to say that I'm so very sorry for your loss. I know I can't change what I have done and I hope that one day I could meet with you if you think that could help, I totally understand if you don't want to.

I will take full responsibility for my actions and will try to make the court process as painless as possible for you.

I'm so very sorry.

Andrew Mears