Sentencing delayed to probe murderer's finances

Gregory Meads. Photo / Christine Cornege

The sentencing of the Waikato horse breeder who murdered his wife has been delayed for four months so his ability to pay reparation can be determined.

Gregory Meads, 55, was to have been sentenced in the High Court at Hamilton this morning for the murder of his wife Helen at their Matamata stables in September last year.

However, the sentencing was adjourned until March so he could complete a declaration of financial capacity which will allow the judge to determine how much reparation Meads should pay, the Waikato Times reported.

He has a teenage daughter with his wife and a stepdaughter.

At his trial, Meads argued his intention was to scare his wife with the shotgun and he did not make a conscious effort to pull the trigger and did not know the safety catch was off.

- NZPA