The man who murdered Nelson police officer Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming in a deliberate vehicle attack has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 22 years.
Hayden Tasker, 33, appeared in the High Court at Nelson today for sentencing. A jury found him guilty in May of murdering Fleming and intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to her colleague, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay,.
The two officers were on foot patrol in central Nelson's Buxton Square during the early hours of New Year's Day 2025. Tasker, who was drunk and angry at police, drove his Honda Odyssey directly into them.
Justice Cameron Mander delivered the sentence today, noting that the loss of Fleming could never be mitigated by the court. Tasker reportedly showed no emotion as his fate was handed down.
Several of Fleming's family members presented victim impact statements. Her husband, Bryn Olsen, spoke directly to the killer in court. He told Tasker that his refusal to accept responsibility was cowardly, adding that he hoped the sentence would keep Tasker locked away until he was too old to hurt anyone else.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers welcomed the sentencing, describing the attack as a cowardly and senseless act that permanently changed many lives.
"Lyn Fleming and Adam Ramsay showed up to work on New Year's Eve, ready to keep people in Nelson safe on what should have been a night of celebration," Chambers said. "Instead, Lyn and Adam were targeted by the offender, simply because they were Police officers."
Fleming served her community for over 38 years and earned high respect among her peers. Chambers acknowledged the profound grief still felt by her husband and their children, Aren and Rayna. He said the random and unprovoked nature of the attack highlights the daily dangers faced by frontline staff across the country.
Chambers also praised Ramsay for his bravery during his long road to recovery. He said that Ramsay continues to show up for work, which speaks volumes about his character and commitment to the community.
Nelson Bays Area Commander Inspector Steve Collins thanked the public for their overwhelming support. He highlighted the heroism of bystanders and off-duty officers who immediately jumped in to help the injured officers on the night of the attack.
"To the people from Nelson and across New Zealand who sent cards, laid flowers or just stopped us in the street to offer their condolences, you gave some comfort at a difficult time as our staff worked to come to terms with the shock of what had happened," Collins said.
Tasker had been living in his car in Motueka prior to the incident. During the trial, the Crown revealed that he deliberately targeted the officers to vent his frustration towards the police.
