Man jailed for giving gun to woman’s killer

A West Coast man has been jailed for giving a gun to the man who murdered Greymouth mother Hayley Williams.

Anthony Robert Moore, 48, was sentenced by the High Court in Greymouth yesterday to three years and four months in jail for unlawful possession of a firearm and perverting the course of justice by concealing evidence.

George Sean Warren, 45, was sentenced to life imprisonment in June after pleading guilty to shooting Williams in the throat at her home, while her children were there. He will serve at least 17 years before he can be considered for parole.

Christine Mehrtens said in her victim impact statement, which was read out in court by a representative, that she was caring for her daughter’s three young sons.

‘‘I believe you were her friend,’’ she told Moore.

‘‘You gave your gun to a dangerous uncontrollable mad man. Did you not think about what it would be used for? Your actions contributed to her death and left her three sons without a mother.’’

Justice David Gendall said Warren told Moore he needed a gun for protection against gang members who were threatening him.

Moore, who had been declared unfit to hold a firearm in 1998, gave Warren his gun. Warren and an associate then drove to Williams’ house, where Warren fatally shot her. Williams’ had previously made an indecent assault complaint against Warren.