A Hastings man who sent a “malicious” letter to the mother-in-law of slain Fielding farmer Scott Guy hindered the murder investigation, police say.
Richard Bradley Johnson, 41, was found guilty in Hastings District Court last week of wasting police time, Hawke's Bay Today newspaper reported.
Johnson sent an anonymous letter to Dianne Bullock, mother of Mr Guy's widow Kylee, less than two months into the murder inquiry.
Johnson and Mrs Bullock were former work colleagues and he blamed her for him leaving his job.
The letter, typed on a computer with letters that appear to be dripping blood, read “...oh how sad that such a tragedy has beset your family. How awful for you and your daughter. But you are such a cold-hearted bitch... I doubt this incident has had much effect on you anyway. What goes around comes around.”
Police said the hunt for the letter's author became a “priority” in the murder investigation and six weeks were spent looking for Johnson.
Judge Alistair Garland ordered a report with an option for a non-custodial sentence but said that did not rule out a prison term.
Johnson will be sentenced next month.
NZPA