Three Hamilton men have pleaded guilty to illegally hunting on Conservation Department land the night Hutt Valley teacher Rose Ives was fatally shot by a hunter who mistook her headlamp for the eyes of a deer.
The three – Brad Bennet, Ashley Wolland, both 27, and Kyle Dean, 18, appeared in Taupo District Court today on a charge of breaching their DoC permits by hunting after dark at a Kaimanawa Forest Park campground near Turangi last October. They were all fined $2500.
The trio were with Andrew Mears when he shot Miss Ives, 22, from less than 26 metres as she was brushing her teeth.
Mears pleaded guilty to manslaughter in December and is serving a jail sentence of two and a half years.
Conservation Department national hunting advisor Brent Beavan said the department was concerned about ensuring safety of people on public connservation land.
“We welcome the decision and the message it sends.”
“If you want to hunt on DoC land you must have a permit and the ruiles are clear – hunting is prohibited after dark.”
- The Dominion Post
Photo: TRACEY ROBINSON
Source: Dominion Post http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5015405/Illegal-hunters-fined-over-after-dark-trip
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