Name released of man accused of killing Nelson police officer Lyn Fleming
Hayden Donald Jason Tasker of Motueka has been named as the man accused of killing Nelson police officer Lyn Fleming in the early hours of New Year's Day, 2025. Photo / Tracy Neal
Tasker further denied causing grievous bodily harm to Ramsay with reckless disregard for his safety as an alternative charge and three charges of driving a motor vehicle on a road in a manner that was dangerous to the public.
At the same time, he pleaded guilty and was convicted on charges of drink driving and driving while disqualified.
Fleming and her colleagues had been doing foot patrols in central Nelson when they were allegedly set upon by a vehicle in Buxton Square about 2.10am.
Fleming, 62, was injured alongside Ramsay and another officer when a car rammed into her and then into a police car. Two members of the public were also injured.
Fleming succumbed to her injuries in hospital that day, surrounded by her family, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said at the time.
Tasker was arrested soon after and made an initial brief appearance in the Nelson District Court on January 3, when he was remanded in custody.
Chambers said Fleming was the first policewoman to be killed in the line of duty in New Zealand, and the first police officer to be killed while on duty in Nelson.
Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was killed after a car ramming in Nelson in the early hours of January 1, 2025. Photo / Supplied
She was farewelled at a large ceremony in Nelson attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The service followed a community candlelight vigil in Nelson attended by thousands.
Suppression has been in place since his first court appearance, and over several court appearances since, but it lapsed today.
Crown prosecutor Mark O'Donoghue said in February that continued suppression was contrary to the public interest, but the court was bound to continue it in the circumstances at the time, in order to protect the defendant's fair trial rights.
Tracy Neal is a Nelson-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She was previously RNZ's regional reporter in Nelson-Marlborough and has covered general news, including court and local government for the Nelson Mail.
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