Politician to be sentenced over fatal motorbike accident

Warren Flaunty. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Auckland local body politician Warren Flaunty will be sentenced next year for careless driving causing the death of 34-year-old motorcyclist Blair Titmus.

Flaunty pleaded guilty to the charge in October but there was still some dispute over a report on the accident with regard to Flaunty's culpability.

This now appears to have been resolved as an amended, agreed-upon summary of facts was presented to Judge Lisa Tremewan when Flaunty appeared briefly in Waitakere District Court this afternoon.

Judge Tremewan directed Flaunty to take part in a restorative justice conference before he is sentenced in March next year.

A report from the conference will be given to the sentencing judge.

Mr Titmus died in April after his motorcycle and a car being driven by Flaunty collided on Hobsonville Rd, west Auckland.

Flaunty has been a businessman and pharmacist for 40 years.

He is an elected member of Auckland Council's local boards for Rodney, Upper Harbour and Henderson. He also sits on the Waitemata District Health Board and the Waitakere Licensing Trust.

Outside court Mr Flaunty told APNZ he intended to retain these positions. "I will remain in these positions for the next two years, and it will be up to the people to decide whether they want me there after that."

The charge of careless driving causing death carries a maximum a penalty of up to three months in prison or a $4500 fine.