Hunter who shot teacher to be freed

Andrew Mears was sentenced earlier this year \ to two and a half years in prison for the manslaughter of Rosemary Ives, after accidentally shooting her at a DoC camping ground in 2010. Photo / Christine Cornege

A hunter who shot a Wellington school teacher dead as she brushed her teeth in a Turangi campground is to be freed after serving less than a year in jail.

Andrew Mears, 26, was sentenced to two years and six months jail for the manslaughter of Rosemary Ives, 25, and ordered to pay her partner $10,000 reparation in February.

He had been illegally spotlighting from a car and said he mistook Ms Ives' headlamp for a deer's eye.

The Parole Board this afternoon revealed its decision to release Mears on January 9 next year - about 11-and-a-half months the start of his sentence.

It said he had been a positive prisoner, mixing with "the right crowd", working within the prison and completing a parenting course.

He had strong prospects of employment after his release and had a supportive family environment, the decision said.

"As he was a first offender there were no issues in his life up until this incident and with the strong support around him, the board does not consider that he poses an undue risk to the safety of the community going forward."

The Parole Board credited Mears for his decision to plead guilty to manslaughter as soon as possible.

It said he was deeply remorseful for killing Ms Ives and had accepted responsibility for his actions.

Conditions imposed on his release include undertaking grief counseling and completing other treatment.

Mears was ordered not to have contact with the victims of his offending, unless he had prior written consent from his probation officer.

- HERALD ONLINE