A former Blenheim nightclub owner has been sentenced to 12 months' home detention for the manslaughter of a patron.
Matthew Heagney, 24, died of a brain injury after he was ejected from the Shapeshifters nightclub by Kevin King in August 2009.
The High Court in Wellington heard that King, 51, had intervened in an altercation between Mr Heagney and an inexperienced bouncer and held him in a headlock, lifting him off his feet.
He then threw Mr Heagney backwards onto the footpath where he hit his head on the concrete.
Crown lawyers argued that King had shown no remorse and did not understand the crime he had been found guilty of.
The defence argued that King feels genuine remorse and sadness and had attempted to contact the families but had been told by police that it was not appropriate.
Justice Mallon told the court the lack of intention to cause the injury was a mitigating factor, along with King's unblemished record and his positive contribution to society.
King's family says he intends to appeal the sentence.
