Davin Heaps is a director of 4 Hippos Farm Limited and was sentenced to four months community detention in the Invercargill District Court today. Heaps pleaded guilty to one charge of wilfully attempting to obstruct, prevent, pervert or defeat the course of justice by directing a worker to lie to WorkSafe NZ.

4 Hippos Farm Limited was also convicted on a Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) charge for failing to ensure the wood splitter he was using did not pose a risk of serious injury to the worker. The worker received significant crush injuries and lacerations to his hand while using the wood splitter.

Despite the court considering an end fine of $273,288 appropriate, no fine was able to be imposed due to Heaps’ financial circumstances. Heaps was also ordered to pay reparation of $25,000 and $16,110 for consequential loss.

Read More