The High Court has increased the fine imposed on a rubbish collection company by $30,000 after one of its trucks ran over and killed a boy.
The 12-year-old, who was the son of a company employee, died in January last year in Paeroa, apparently slipping while loading bags into the truck and being run over by a back wheel.
The company, Street Smart, was originally fined $55,000 and ordered to make reparations of $60,000 by the district court.
But the Department of Labour appealed against the fine on the basis that it was manifestly inadequate.
The High Court in Hamilton agreed, increased the fine to slightly more than $87,000.
It found that the district court had given the company too much credit for the reparation, which had been paid for by the company's insurers.
