Dead man's partner forgives Greytown driver

Remorse shown by a driver whose carelessness caused the death of a motorcyclist and a heartfelt statement from the dead man's partner made for an emotional finale to a Masterton District Court sentencing yesterday.

Donald Stewart Wills, 66, of Morison's Bush, was appearing before Judge Bill Hastings for sentencing on a charge of careless driving causing the death of Ricki Cobb on the Waiohine Bridge 18 months ago.

Before Wills was sentenced, the dead man's partner, Hera Edwards, read a statement to the court telling not only of the huge sorrow Mr Cobb's death had brought to her, and her whanau, but also of her willingness to forgive Wills.

Ms Edwards said the last 18 months had wrought a huge toll on her whanau but also on Wills and his wife and family.

She said nothing could ever be done to replace Mr Cobb or to make up for his absence in her life or the lives of their three girls, aged 9, 6 and 4, and nor would he be forgotten.

"This is not about forgetting. We will never forget but it is about forgiving," Ms Edwards said.

The whanau realised Wills had not set off on November 5, 2011, to harm anyone, she said, and that "many factors" had worked against him and Mr Cobb on the fateful day her partner lost his life.

Addressing Wills as he stood in the dock, Ms Edwards said: "I offer my forgiveness and the forgiveness of my family."

The sentencing yesterday came in the wake of a Restorative Justice conference and an offer by Wills that was described by Judge Hastings as being a "generous offer" driven by genuine remorse.

This included emotional harm payments of $5000 cash immediately available after sentencing, a further $10,000 cash payments a year later and another $10,000 to be paid into a trust fund for the three children - that payment to be made by July 31.

Wills also promised to supply frozen meat and produce to Ms Edwards and the family on an on-going basis.

Judge Hastings made a personal statement from the bench.

He said Ms Edwards had made a comment that she and Wills "came from different worlds".

"But they are not so different you can't recognise the good in each other and I can see you are both good people.

"Many victim-impact statements read to courts are fuelled by anger, which prohibits healing, but Ms Edwards, your statement rises above, from a basis of sorrow which embraces forgiveness.

"Both of you have shown a generosity of spirit, so leave this courtroom and live your lives well," Judge Hastings said.

Solicitor Mike Antunovich appeared for Wills and said the Greytown man's letter of apology, explanation and reparation offer spoke for themselves.

Wills had made a "serious misjudgment based on overconfidence" that had unfortunately claimed the life of Mr Cobb.

Mr Cobb died when a laden trailer towed by Wills' car hit the guardrail of the bridge and jack-knifed into the path of Mr Cobb's motorcycle.