Seven years’ jail for man who killed flatmate

Jason Blackler has been sent to jail after killing his flatmate during a Jagermeister 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 that, at some point in the evening, Fahey made a sexual reference about Blackler’s terminally ill sister. Blackler became enraged and struck Fahey, who was vulnerable because he was older and smaller, in the face.

The judge said Fahey was ‘‘almost unrecognisable’’ after the assault. Blackler said he lost a father figure in Fahey, and hoped to meet his family.

Blackler said he lost a father figure in Fahey, and hoped to meet his family.

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 nonparole period of three-and-a-half years for Fahey’s manslaughter.

As he was led from the dock, a person in the public gallery called out ‘‘scum’’.

Earlier, the court was told 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.

His facial injuries were consistent with being punched in the face.

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.

After the verdict on March 7, Fahey’s family paid tribute to the gentle and generous man, but described Blackler as a ‘‘gutless coward’’.

Fahey’s eldest niece, Ngarita Webster, said the family was pleased with the outcome and praised the police case.

She wished Blackler admitted the killing from the outset, sparing the family from the ordeal of the seven-day trial. She said Fahey liked to read books and drink, but was never violent.

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.

During the trial, defence counsel Stevens told the jury no-one knew what happened the day Fahey died, including her client.

Fahey, an alcoholic with a preexisting coronary disease, had been feeling unwell on the day of his death.

That afternoon and evening, he and Blackler drank a 1-litre bottle of Jagermeister and multiple beers, before the assault.

Blackler told friend Steven Ferguson that he killed Fahey, and later told a bank officer the same information.

Ferguson offered to take him to police, but Blackler instead went to visit other people.

The pair were later stopped on Moray Place, several hundred metres from the Dunedin police station.

Blackler knew what he was doing when he assaulted Fahey, the Crown prosecutor told the jury.