Neighbour Sentenced for Role in Fatal Arson Case in Taranaki

A man has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for his role in the death of his neighbour, Sidney Ross Bridson, in a case marked by escalating tensions and violent confrontations. The incident took place in Waitaanga, located east of Taranaki, where Bridson and his neighbour, Mathew David Hannon, lived approximately 300 metres apart.

Tensions between the two men had been mounting over various disputes, including access to a shared driveway and activities involving family and friends of Bridson. These disagreements culminated in a violent altercation on August 24, 2023, when Bridson attacked Hannon, causing him moderate injuries. Following the incident, Hannon became increasingly fearful of Bridson’s behaviour.

On October 10, 2023, Bridson was intoxicated at home and reportedly smashed the windows of a vehicle he had purchased earlier that day before setting it ablaze. Hannon, having heard the commotion, contacted one of his co-defendants, leading to a series of events that would end in tragedy. The next morning, Hannon provided a shotgun and ammunition to the co-defendants, who are accused of murdering Bridson and subsequently setting fire to his house.

During the sentencing hearing at New Plymouth High Court, Justice Paul Radich characterized Hannon’s actions as having “engineered” Bridson’s death. Despite not being present during the fatal incident, Hannon’s role was deemed significant enough to warrant a serious sentence. Crown prosecutor Jacob Bourke advocated for a sentence of eight to ten years, citing Hannon’s involvement as an element of vigilantism. In contrast, Hannon’s defence attorney, Paul Keegan, KC, suggested a lesser sentence of six years and six months, acknowledging the recklessness of Hannon’s actions.

The court heard emotional testimonials from Bridson’s family, who described him as a caring and talented individual. They referred to the conflict between the neighbours as a “petty feud” that spiraled out of control, leading to a devastating outcome. Justice Radich acknowledged the impact of the incident on Bridson’s loved ones, who now cherish memories of shared camping, fishing, and hunting trips over the past two decades.

Ultimately, Justice Radich settled on a starting point of seven years and six months’ imprisonment for Hannon, factoring in his guilty plea and expressions of remorse. In addition to his prison sentence, Hannon is prohibited from owning firearms.

The case highlights the dangers of unresolved disputes and the far-reaching consequences that can result from seemingly minor conflicts. As the legal proceedings continue for Hannon’s co-defendants, the community grapples with the tragic loss and the lessons learned from this unfortunate situation.