Brent James Tiddy, 28, was jailed for four and a-half years when he came before the High Court at Dunedin in 2023 for the manslaughter of 42-year-old Katherine Joyce Broad in a Waikouaiti crash.
At his sentencing, the court heard of his erratic behaviour since his deportation from Australia in 2017 — and at a hearing last month, the Parole Board charted its continuation while behind bars.
Since being at the Otago Corrections Facility, Tiddy had been involved in 25 "incidents" and racked up 17 misconduct charges.
"The misconducts have involved a full range of violence, abuse and damage to prison property," board chairman Sir Ron Young said.
"He is now on a high-security classification."
Since being transferred to his current unit, he had fallen foul of prison rules twice, which was a "significant improvement", Sir Ron said.
On January 23, 2023, Tiddy, who had never held a licence, was driving Ms Broad’s Honda Accord around Dunedin.
He was initially seen hitting a kerb as he parked at a fast-food restaurant and witnesses later reported him tail-gating and swerving into oncoming traffic.
Tiddy lost control on gravel entering Waikouaiti, hit a 30kmh temporary speed sign, rolled the vehicle and slammed into a tree.
Ms Broad died instantly, while Tiddy was taken to hospital with broken ribs and a broken collarbone.
Neither were wearing a seatbelt, court documents said.
An app on Ms Broad’s cellphone revealed Tiddy hit speeds of 158kmh during the trip.
A blood-alcohol analysis showed he was nearly three times the legal limit and had cannabis in his system.
At sentencing, the court heard Tiddy had endured a traumatic childhood in Australia, left school at 12, started using methamphetmine, fathered a child two years later and turned to drug-dealing before his visa was revoked.
Since being in New Zealand, the Parole Board noted he had accrued three pages of convictions including driving charges, indecent assault, violence and breaching court orders.
Sir Ron said Ms Broad’s family did not want Tiddy released in Dunedin.
"He has had huge difficulty in controlling his behaviour and his reactions in prison. So, we think a psychological report is required," he said.
Tiddy will come before the Parole Board again in July. His sentence expires in August 2027.
