Hannon-McGinn, 28, had been called by his father, Mathew David Hannon, and asked to drive to Waitaanga to help him, saying he was fearful of Bridson.
Hannon and Bridson were neighbours who feuded over several issues, including hunting in the area, which trial witnesses described as the “Wild West”.
Hannon-McGinn drove from his home in Hamilton and took Howe, 27, with him.
Today, the pair were sentenced in the High Court at New Plymouth for the murder, after a jury found them guilty in May.
They were also sentenced for arson, which Hannon-McGinn had admitted but Howe unsuccessfully defended.
At the sentencing, Bridson’s family spoke of the impact of his death.
Collectively, their victim impact statements painted a picture of an intelligent, kind and generous man who was loved by those around him.
Bridson was remembered as a friend and mentor to his sons, a caring brother, and someone who always made time for others.
Stefan Hannon-McGinn (left) and Ethan Howe were sentenced in the High Court at New Plymouth.
His mother, Ann Bridson, 83, told the court her son had been diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia about a year before his death.
He had been receiving treatment and, she said, it was believed he “should see another summer”.
“Not to be, thanks to other folk,” she said.
Ann said she often thought of her son and found comfort in the many treasures he had made for her, which still sat in her garden.
His death was “dreadful and shocking”, she said, and had left many “folk brokenhearted”.
“The children should not die before me.”
Bridson’s sister, Margaret Kemp, described her brother as a “caring soul” who had touched many hearts.
She told the court he never forgot her birthday, and recalled family trips to Waitaanga, where they hunted and created memories together.
The area was Bridson’s “happy and safe haven”, she said.
Kemp said her brother’s life was taken in cold blood on a “dark, ugly night that went horribly wrong”, leaving the family devastated and their grief compounded by the trial process.
Murder in the ‘Wild West’
During the trial, the jury heard Hannon-McGinn admitted he fatally shot Bridson but claimed he acted in self-defence.
Howe accepted he was present but not criminally responsible.
They claimed to have gone to Bridson’s home to discuss the conflict between Hannon and Bridson, taking a firearm as a precaution.
Hannon-McGinn said Bridson had reached for a gun, which turned out to be a stick, and so he pulled the trigger, interpreting the situation as “kill or be killed”.
But the jury did not buy this, finding the men had murderous intent.
The aftermath of the fire at Sidney Ross Bridson’s home on Waitaanga Rd. The home of his neighbour, Mathew David Hannon, is the left building pictured in the background.
At sentencing, Crown prosecutor Prue Lange sought a life sentence with a minimum term of imprisonment (MPI) of 18 years for the pair.
She submitted their actions triggered section 104 of the Sentencing Act, which required the court to impose an MPI of at least 17 years unless manifestly unjust.
Lange said the murder involved the unlawful entry into Bridson’s home, that he was particularly vulnerable, and that it featured a high level of callousness.
“This offending, the Crown submits, was brutal and callous, in circumstances that can be described as a cold-blooded and deliberate execution, or at the very least an ambush.”
Lange submitted there were no mitigating factors present.
Hannon-McGinn’s lawyer, Nicola Manning, argued against section 104 in her client’s case, submitting it was a “single shot homicide” that did not feature torture, violence or sadistic conduct.
Manning submitted a starting point of a 14-year MPI was appropriate, and that discounts should apply for Hannon-McGinn’s remorse.
She said he was “plagued” by Bridson’s death and thought of him often.
Manning also submitted that credit should apply for Hannon-McGinn’s personal circumstances, which included substance abuse, childhood trauma and an absent father.
Howe’s lawyer, Nick Dutch, also rejected that section 104 applied, submitting his client’s actions did not go beyond “an ordinary murder”.
Howe was also remorseful, Dutch submitted, and said a report to the court highlighted that he had issues with his mental functioning.
Dutch submitted an MPI of 10 years was an appropriate end sentence for Howe.
In sentencing the pair, Justice Helen McQueen found the case engaged some elements of section 104, but ultimately, it would be manifestly unjust to impose an MPI of 17 years or more.
She found Hannon-McGinn was the instigator and, as the person who fired the shot, had greater culpability.
Mathew David Hannon, father of Stefan Hannon-McGinn, was sentenced on an admitted charge of manslaughter.
After taking a starting point of 14 years for Hannon-McGinn, Justice McQueen reduced his MPI to 13 years to reflect his remorse and personal circumstances.
She took a starting point of 12 years for Howe and then applied credit for his remorse, time spent on electronically monitored bail, and his mental health, resulting in an MPI of 10 years and four months.
They were both sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on the arson charges, to be served concurrently, and banned from owning firearms in the future.
Hannon was earlier sentenced to five years and three months’ imprisonment and was also banned from owning firearms after admitting a charge of manslaughter relating to Bridson’s death.
While Hannon was not there when Bridson was shot, he was found to have engineered his death.
Tara Shaskey is an assistant editor and reporter for the Open Justice team. She joined NZME in 2022 and has worked as a journalist since 2014.
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