Former bouncer charged over death

A former Blenheim bar owner has been charged with manslaughter after the death of a man he ejected from his club.

Kevin Robert King, 49, now living in Christchurch, appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday charged with the manslaughter of Matthew Heagney, 24, on August 23.

King was, at the time, co-owner and bouncer at Shape Shifters bar in central Blenheim.

Heagney died several hours after sustaining severe head injuries outside the bar about 2.40am. Witnesses have said a scuffle ensued as King and another bouncer led Heagney from the premises.

In the course of the struggle, Heagney landed on the concrete footpath, injuring his head.

He was taken to Wairau Hospital, but died before 7am.

King's charge sheet read: "Having undertaken to eject Matthew Patrick Heagney from the premises of Shape Shifters Bar [he] was under legal duty to prevent injury dangerous to life, omitted without lawful excuse to discharge that duty, such omission causing the death of Heagney and thereby committed manslaughter."

King was bailed to live at a Hillsborough, Christchurch, address.

Among his many bail conditions were orders not to associate with an extensive list of people.

He was banned from entering Marlborough unless going to court or meeting his legal counsel and once in Marlborough he was to be on a 24-hour curfew.

He was ordered to surrender his passport and report to police five times a week.

- © Fairfax NZ News