ROTORUA - The man who shot dead a 15-year-old in a hunting accident last month has been described as a "glory-hunter" with less regard for a person's life than for bagging game.
The dead boy's cousin made the comment in the Rotorua District Court when Anthony William Evanson, aged 47, was
appearing for sentencing.
Evanson had admitted careless use of a firearm causing death.
Simon Fathers, a cousin of the victim, Beau Fathers, was hunting with him at Horohoro, 15km southeast of Rotorua, when Beau was killed.
Simon Fathers said Evanson did not hold the same regard for a person's life as he did for his game.
"He is a man whom I would describe to you as a glory-hunter with a trigger-finger," he said.
Judge Eric Anderson fined Evanson $3000, to be paid to Beau Fathers' family, and sentenced him to six months' periodic detention.
His rifle, worth between $1200 and $1500, was forfeited.
Defence lawyer Brian Foote said Evanson had 30 years' experience with firearms, and four character references described him as "meticulous" in his hunting.
"He admits he was careless and does not want to make excuses. There is no excuse for failing to identify a target."
Judge Anderson said Evanson's carelessness was in the middle of the scale.
With his hunting background, he should have been well aware of the dangers and conditions and the importance of target identification.
Judge Anderson said Evanson had to be punished but, based on the evidence and "outstanding" character references, he questioned the point of jailing him.
"He has to live with this for the rest of his life and it is a terrible burden to carry."
Periodic detention was not a soft option but an effective alternative to imprisonment, said the judge.
The fine should be paid to the family "for their emotional harm."
- NZPA
