Judge's warning as death-car owner convicted

By GREGG WYCHERLEY

Drivers of illegally modified cars have been sent a strong warning by a judge after the conviction of a driver whose modifications led to the death of a schoolboy.

Gareth Stephen Taylor, 22, a fencer, of Te Kuiti, was convicted yesterday of dangerous driving causing death after a wheel from his heavily modified Mazda sheared off, killing 10-year-old Logan Patterson outside Ngahinapouri School in March.

Judge Merelina Burnett said in the Hamilton District Court that she was satisfied modifications made by Taylor to his 1974 Mazda 808 caused the 10-year-old's death.

She indicated a "lengthy term of imprisonment" for Taylor, up to a maximum of five years, and extended her warning to others.

"There can be no stronger warning to the drivers of modified vehicles in New Zealand than this deadly event.

"Given the circumstances before the court, Mr Taylor faces a significant term of imprisonment."

Loud sobbing burst from Taylor's family, including his six-months pregnant girlfriend, when Judge Burnett remanded him in custody until sentencing on October 3.

The decision shocked Taylor and his family, and he struggled to hold back tears as prison guards led him away. .

Expert witnesses testified during a three-and-half-day trial last week that Taylor's car, his "pride and joy", was too dangerous to drive safely.

Crown prosecutor Philip Crayton said in closing, that the illegal modifications made by Taylor, who worked for three years as a mechanical labourer, were directly linked to the accident.

Investigators had found the rear wheels attached with only three bolts, which were too short to hold the wheels securely, and an illegally modified differential.

Witnesses said the welded differential was a modification made by boy racers to make doing "doughnuts and burnouts" easier.

Judge Burnett said Taylor's claims that he was unaware of the danger "defied credibility", especially since he had enough mechanical knowledge to modify the car himself.

"I observed Mr Taylor to be deliberately vague in part, which I found to be inconsistent with his experience," she said.

Defence lawyer Gavin Boot had argued during the trial that Taylor admitted installing the welded differential and fitting shorter bolts to the wheels, but denied leaving off the fourth locking nut on each of the rear wheels.

But Judge Burnett said Taylor had fitted the bolts himself and had enough experience to know the car was dangerous. By ignoring or failing to notice the unsafe condition of the car, Taylor had fallen short of the care and competence the law required of drivers.

"I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt Mr Taylor was responsible for making the modifications.

"Fault is thereby established."

She asked for an emotional harm report and pre-sentence report.

Outside court Taylor's mother, Gillian Taylor, said the tragedy had been a nightmare for both families.

"It's just like a nightmare that goes on and on and on."

Logan's father, Colin Patterson, said he and his wife, Kerry, and Logan's sister Amelia, held no grudge against Taylor.

"It's finished now. Logan is at peace and basically our thoughts are really with Gareth and his family.

"It's going to be a tough call for them as well."