Man admits riverbank manslaughter
After a long pause and a sigh in the dock, Tony Joe Harrington has admitted the manslaughter of a 41-year-old man in a riverbank fight in Woolston.
Harrington pleaded guilty to manslaughter at a pre-trial appearance in the High Court at Christchurch and the Crown then dropped the charge of murder he has been facing up to now.
Harrington, 37, of Woolston, was remanded in custody for sentencing on February 16 by Justice Cameron Mander.
Crown prosecutor Kathy Basire said that about 9pm on February 12, Harrington was cycling along Ferry Road, with two friends who were walking.
The victim, Simon Mark Prue, was walking in the same direction and as he passed the group he abused them verbally.
Harrington took exception to that and rode his bike after Prue and caught up with him at the intersection where Ferry Road meets Radley Street.
The two men exchanged verbal abuse, and Prue kicked out at Harrington and his bike, connecting with the bike at least three times.
Harrington lost his balance and Prue walked away, but Harrington ran after him and tackled him to the ground on the Heathcote riverbank.
Prue landed on his face and Harrington put him in a choker hold, and put pressure on his neck. Prue quickly became motionless.
Harrington’s friend yelled at him to let the victim alone, but Harrington continued to keep him in the choker hold and punched him several times in the head.
Harrington then stood up and punched him in the head and kicked him hard in the head and back, Miss Basire said.
Harrington walked away and then returned and administered CPR before fleeing the scene.
A friend rang Harrington and said the victim had died and he should return. He then came back and spoke to the police. Prue was confirmed dead by ambulance staff at the scene.
Harrington told police he had got angry about the abuse and that he had initially been defending himself. He admitted punching the victim.
Justice Mander agreed to a request from defence counsel Serina Bailey not to convict Harrington yet, but ordered a pre-sentence report. Mrs Bailey said the delaying of a conviction would allow Harrington to remain in his present prison wing where he is earning a “minimal income” doing food handling work, while he learnt skills.
Category: News
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