Seven years’ jail for man who killed ‘God’
Jason Blackler has been sent to jail after killing his flatmate during a drinking session.
Blackler, 48, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Alan Fahey, 66, in Dunedin on or before October 25, 2016. High Court Justice Rachel Dunningham said at some point in the evening Fahey made a sexual reference about Blackler’s terminally ill sister.
Blackler became enraged and struck Fahey in the face. The judge said Fahey was ‘‘almost unrecognisable’’ after the assault.
‘‘You knew when you left the house you probably killed him,’’ she told Blacker at yesterday’s sentencing.
Blackler had an extensive criminal history, including 17 convictions for violence – one involving the killing of a pet dog.
He was sentenced to seven years’ jail with a minimum non-parole period of three and a half years for Fahey’s manslaughter.
As he was led from the dock, someone in the public gallery called out ‘‘Scum!’’.
Earlier the court heard Blackler was an alcoholic who often lashed out violently before returning to ‘‘normal’’.
Fahey’s family’s victim impact statement said he was a loved man who had taken Blackler into his home.
Defence counsel Anne Stevens said Fahey’s alcoholism, living conditions and pre-existing heart conditions played a significant part in his death.
In the absence of the facial injuries, a medical expert said he would have no trouble declaring Fahey died of natural causes.
Stevens said her client was remorseful when he realised the next morning that Fahey was dead.
Both men were alcoholics and their relationship ‘‘was what it was’’, but there was no intention to kill Fahey, she argued.
The 66-year-old went by the nickname ‘‘God’’, meaning grumpy old decorator, but was more a ‘‘gentle old decorator’’, Webster’s husband, Aaron, said.