Youth charged in relation to shearer's death walks free

A 16-year-old youth charged in relation to the death of Australian shearer Matthew Larkins walked free from the High Court at Napier yesterday, after his trial was abandoned for lack of prosecution evidence.

The youth, whose name was suppressed, was charged with assaulting a female witness to the attack on Mr Larkins and being a party to manslaughter.

Another youth, George Junior Edwards, 16, pleaded guilty to Mr Larkins' manslaughter last month and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Crown prosecutor Russell Collins told Justice Wild he was unable to call evidence crucial to the Crown's case, so could not proceed.

Defence lawyer Steve Manning then applied to have the youth discharged.

Justice Wild told the jury three of the crown's key witnesses had not "made themselves available" for the trial.

Mr Larkins died early in June from head injuries received when he was felled by a punch from Edwards.

The 33-year-old shearer hit his head on the street when he fell, causing fatal brain injuries.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY