Neighbour Convicted of Manslaughter After Fatal Dispute in New Zealand

A man has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of his neighbour in Waitaanga, near Taranaki, New Zealand. Mathew David Hannon, who admitted to the charge, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison by Justice Paul Radich in the High Court at New Plymouth.

The case has its roots in a long-standing feud between Hannon and his neighbour, Sidney Ross Bridson, who lived approximately 300 meters apart, separated by a small valley. Tensions escalated over issues including access to a shared driveway and hunting on surrounding land. A violent confrontation occurred earlier in August 2023, where Bridson attacked Hannon, injuring him with a bottle.

On the evening of October 10, 2023, Bridson was found dead in his home, which had been destroyed by fire. Reports indicate that he was intoxicated and had previously smashed the windows of a vehicle he had bought on the same day. Witnesses noted that Bridson had been yelling before setting the vehicle on fire. Hannon, upon observing the flames, contacted one of his co-defendants, which led to further actions that culminated in Bridson’s death.

Hannon was not present during the incident that resulted in Bridson’s death but played a crucial role in the events leading up to it. The court heard that after the fire was ignited, Hannon provided a shotgun and ammunition to his co-defendants. Crown prosecutor Jacob Bourke described Hannon’s actions as vigilantism, arguing for a starting sentence of eight to ten years. Hannon’s defence lawyer, Paul Keegan, KC, suggested that six years and six months would be more appropriate.

Justice Radich acknowledged the gravity of Hannon’s actions, stating, “Essentially, you engineered the events that followed.” He noted that although Hannon did not directly cause Bridson’s death, his involvement was serious enough to warrant a significant sentence.

The judge also reflected on Bridson’s character, as described by his family. They portrayed him as a caring individual, a “fantastic” father and uncle, and a talented craftsman. The family lamented that a “petty feud” had led to such a tragic outcome, calling it a “dark, ugly night that went horribly wrong.” They now hold onto cherished memories of time spent camping, fishing, and hunting with Bridson over the past two decades.

In conclusion, while Hannon’s actions may not have directly caused the fire, they were instrumental in the chain of events leading to Bridson’s death. As part of his sentencing, Hannon has been banned from owning firearms, underscoring the court’s recognition of the serious nature of his actions.