Former bar owner charged over death

Kevin Robert King, former co-owner of Shapeshifters bar in Blenheim, faces a manslaughter charge over the death of a man outside the bar on August 23.

King, 49, appeared before Judge Jane Farish in the Christchurch District Court this afternoon.

He was released on bail under strict conditions, to appear in the Blenheim District Court on December 7.

Police agreed to his release on bail on the charge that having undertaken to eject Matthew Patrick Heagney, 24, from the bar he omitted to discharge his legal duty to prevent life-threatening injury - an omission which caused Mr Heagney's death and amounted to manslaughter.

Tim Fournier appeared as duty solicitor for King during two brief appearances that settled the remand date for the Blenheim court.

During the remand, King must stay at his present address in Hillsborough, Christchurch, must not contact 11 named witnesses.

He must report to the Christchurch Central Police Station four times a week and will have to surrender his passport to the court.

He is allowed to travel to Marlborough only to see his lawyer or attend court, and must tell the police of his travel arrangements in advance.

While in Marlborough, he has a 24-hour curfew wherever he is staying.

- NZPA