A woman has pleaded guilty to causing the fall that killed her husband at their South Taranaki home six years ago.
Susan Mouat pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Bruce Mouat, 48, in New Plymouth District Court on Monday.
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In the early hours of July 16, 2011, Mr Mouat returned to the family home after drinking at a work party in Hawera.
The couple had a verbal argument before Susan Mouat pushed her husband while closing the front door. Mr Mouat fell down some stairs and hit his head on a concrete paving stone.
He died in hospital 11 days later.
Police initially investigated the possibility his death was a homicide but a coroner later ruled it an accident.
Susan Mouat gave an updated statement to police in 2014 which lead to a manslaughter charge being laid in November last year.
On Monday, before the case went to trial, Susan Mouat pleaded guilty.
She was released on bail and will be sentenced next month. The judge indicated he would consider home detention.
Mr Mouat worked as a machine operator for Fonterra and was also a volunteer with the Taranaki Alpine Rescue Club.
Newshub.
