Teen jailed for killing man who gave him lift

• Author: Mike Dinsdale
• Published date: 25 May 2023
• Publication title: Northland Age, The

The now 16-year-old was 15 when he and a then 12-year-old boy embarked on a plan to steal a car from a couple in Okaihau who had previously given him a lift

The boy appeared for sentencing in the High Court at Whangārei on Tuesday after earlier pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Michael John Biggins.

Biggins, 62, was discovered fatally injured in a car crash in a paddock on Imms Rd, south of Okaihau, on September 27, 2021.

In the court, Justice Neil Campbell gave a starting point for sentencing of nine years’ imprisonment. After giving discounts for his guilty plea of 25 per cent, and 20 per cent for his personal circumstances, Justice Campbell gave an end sentence of five years and 10 months’ imprisonment. The judge did not impose a minimum period of imprisonment, meaning it would be up to the Parole Board to determine when he is released after serving at least a third of the sentence.

Justice Campbell also declined to grant the boy continued name suppression, but he cannot be named as the judge gave interim suppression until the matter is appealed to the Court of Appeal by his lawyer.

Members of Biggins’ family, including his wife, daughter and sister-in-law, read emotional victim impact statements to the court, painting a picture of a generous, loving and much-loved father, grandfather, husband, uncle and friend, who would do anything for anybody.

They spoke of the devastation his killing has had on them, leading to anxiety, depression and a loss of a sense of safety.

They hoped that the youth would get an appropriate sentence for the hurt he had caused and the loss Biggins’ death had created for the entire community.

Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield KC said there was no real planning or premeditation to the boy’s actions and he did not fully realise, or even think about, the consequences his “silly plan” could lead to.

Mansfield said the boy did not intend to kill Biggins and the plan was for Biggins’ wife to give them a lift, as she had previously, and they would steal the car from her. He asked for a starting point for sentencing of six years to help the boy with his...