Bail on charge of manslaughter

Press, 27 June 1989, Page 14

Bail on charge of manslaughter

Nelson reporter

A man appeared in the District Court at Nelson yesterday to face eight charges, including one of manslaughter, after a week-end car crash at Tahunanui. Richard William Ransfield, aged 23, a mechanic, was remanded on bail until August 14, which is the earliest date at which depositions could be heard.

He did not plead to any of the charges and no conditions were attached to his bail. In addition to the charge of manslaughter, Ransfield was charged with causing the death of Donna Marie Ross, aged

16, by dangerous driving. Ransfield faced two charges of causing injury to two other occupants of a car parked at Tahunanui Beach while his alcohol level, according to an evidential breath test, was above 150 micrograms per litre. Other charges were driving while disqualified, driving at a dangerous speed, failing to render assistance after an accident, failing to ascertain if anyone was injured, and driving while unlicensed with an excess of 150 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath — specifically 700 micrograms per litre. He was granted legal aid by Judge McAloon.