Killer driver jailed for at least six years

10.45am

A man whose driving has killed four people will spend at least six years in jail.

Gavin Hawthorn, 42, was found guilty earlier this month of the manslaughter of Lance Fryer, 34, after a road smash in June last year.

Just before the crash police clocked Hawthorn's vehicle at 167km/h.

In the High Court at Wellington today Justice MacKenzie said Hawthorn's "grossly irresponsible conduct" had to be punished. Behind the wheel he was like a "loaded gun".

Hawthorn was jailed for 10 years with a minimum non-parole period of six years and disqualified from driving for 10 years.

Hawthorn holds what is believed to be a New Zealand record: his driving has killed four people.

In 1989 Peter Maurice Gay 36, and John Lebus Kaukau, 32, were killed when a car driven by Hawthorn in which they were passengers collided head on with another car.

Bob Stevens from Martinborough who was in the other car with his wife Ngaire, was badly injured and died 15 months later, soon after undergoing reconstructive surgery.

Crown prosecutor Des Deacon said Hawthorn was a public menace, and his long record of driving offences showed his contempt for court sentences. He called for a long jail period to keep Hawthorn off the roads.

Justice MacKenzie said Hawthorn's conduct merited the "highest possible level of denunciation", and was outside the ordinary range so deserved a minimum non-parole period.

Lance Fryer's father Gary said today that the sentence would not stop Hawthorne from getting behind the wheel again.

He told reporters he was happy with the sentence, but was sure Hawthorn would drive again.

"I don't think he will ever learn. When he gets out of jail I'm sure he will be behind the wheel of a car again."

Mr Fryer said he was happy with the sentence and hoped it would be a deterrent.

He said while his son could be "a bit of a ratbag", he had always looked after his parents.

Sergeant Ben Offner, officer in charge of South Wairarapa police, welcomed the long jail term, saying it was just what police had asked for.

"I think it reflects a greater acceptance that killing someone in a car is a crime," he said.

- NZPA