The Court of Appeal has reduced the sentence imposed on an Auckland man who covered up the killing of his friend by hiding his body in an abandoned house and assuming his identity.
James Cooper killed Javed Mills during a fight in 2009 and was jailed for four years and three months in October last year for his manslaughter.
Cooper hid Mr Mills' skeleton in an abandoned house in the suburb of Mount Wellington, where it was discovered by demolition workers only in 2011.
The Court of Appeal cut Cooper's manslaughter sentence by six months and also took six months off the cumulative term imposed on him for perverting the course of justice.
In its judgement, it says the sentence starting point the trial judge adopted on each charge was too high.
