Henry Robert Worsp, 36, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court today having earlier admitted causing the death of Mr Dodds by careless use of a firearm, namely a .270 calibre Sako rifle.
The incident happened on September 7 last year when Worsp, an outdoor safety and emergency management consultant, and Mr Dodds, a well-known Rotorua mountain biker and adventure sports businessman, were out hunting near the Waikite Valley.
According to the police summary of facts, after becoming separated from Mr Dodds, Worsp saw something he thought was a fallow stag. He checked his target and looked at it through the scope on his rifle before shooting.
He then walked over to the target, realised it was his friend and tried to administer first aid but Mr Dodds had died instantly.
- By Katie Holland of The Daily Post
