Constable Cleared Of Teenage Boy’s Death (Press, 21 November 1989)

In a recent ruling, Constable Steve Shadbolt, a 29-year-old police dog handler from Titirangi, was cleared of charges related to the death of 18-year-old Michael Gibson. The incident took place on 1 April 1989 when Shadbolt's police van struck Gibson on Universal Drive, Henderson. Shadbolt had been responding to an incident in Ranui at the time and maintained that he was not driving carelessly. Judge Graham dismissed the careless driving causing death charge, citing medical evidence indicating that Gibson had been drinking and smoking cannabis before he abruptly stepped onto the road in front of the moving van. Gibson's two friends, who were with him at the time, had managed to cross the street safely and reportedly did not notice the police van with its flashing lights. Following the verdict, an emotional Shadbolt expressed his desire to move on from what he described as a "living hell" over the past seven months, while also voicing frustration about how the case was handled. He revealed that he was initially told by the Ministry of Transport that he would not be charged, only to have an officer later show up to issue the charge against him. The impact of the case extended beyond Shadbolt, as it also deeply affected his family. He mentioned that a remark from one of Gibson's friends, which suggested that the police van was intentionally driven at Gibson, had devastated his wife. On the other hand, Gibson's mother, Lynn, expressed dissatisfaction with the judge's decision, particularly questioning the claim regarding her son's use of cannabis. Despite her discontent, Mrs Gibson stated that the family had decided not to pursue the issue further for the sake of her other children. The aftermath of the incident also involved Sergeant Jim Boyd, who attempted to resuscitate Gibson at the scene. After learning of Gibson's condition as an H.I.V. positive haemophiliac, Boyd underwent several A.I.D.S. tests which all returned clear results. He shared his initial fears but later found comfort in the low probability of transmission, allowing him to resume his work after a six-month leave to support his wife at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The case has left a trail of emotional turmoil for all parties involved, highlighting the tragic consequences of such accidents and the complexities surrounding them.

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