Bay of Plenty hunting death: Mark Jefferson admits shooting friend Stuart Stobie

Mark Jefferson at a previous appearance in the High Court at Rotorua. Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Stuart Stobie (inset) while the pair were on a hunting trip in Minginui in March. Photos / Kelly Makiha, Supplied

Mark Kelvin Jefferson said the word “guilty” through tears as he admitted causing the death of a friend in a hunting incident.

Stuart Stobie, 72, from Kawerau, was shot and killed by Jefferson while the pair were on a hunting trip near Minginui, in the Bay of Plenty, on March 21.

Stuart Stobie was shot and killed while on a hunting trip in March.

Jefferson, a 46-year-old labourer from Minginui, previously pleaded not guilty to Stobie’s manslaughter and two unrelated charges in May.

He was visibly upset when he appeared in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday morning before Justice Kiri Tahana, and entered guilty pleas to the charges.

The manslaughter charge said Jefferson caused Stobie’s death by unlawfully firing a .308 firearm at him.

Jefferson also pleaded guilty to unlawful hunting by killing a deer in the Kaingaroa Forest without authority to be on that land, and a charge of unlawfully possessing a Tikka .308 rifle.

Jefferson’s lawyer, Andy Hill, asked Justice Tahana if Jefferson could remain on bail until sentencing.

Crown solicitor Amanda Gordon opposed bail.

Justice Tahana said she would allow bail to continue, and tentatively scheduled sentencing on September 30.

The Rotorua Daily Post reported tributes to Stobie after his death, with those who knew him saying he loved the outdoors and went hunting and gathering whenever he could.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.