Dunedin man jailed for manslaughter after partner's fatal trailer fall

Friday 5 December 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Fri 5 Dec 2025, 4:05pm

In this story High Court

Andrew Jayden Mercer has been sentenced at the Dunedin High Court for the manslaughter of Robert Douglas Ralston. Mr Ralston died in hospital following a fall from a moving trailer in Brockville in March. The sentencing follows Mercer's admission of guilt and his refusal to undergo a compulsory impairment test.

How they headlined it

12:43pm1:52pm2:34pm4:05pm

1. NZ HeraldFri 5 Dec 2025, 12:43pm

   Dunedin man Andrew Mercer jailed for causing partner’s fatal fall from trailer (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesFri 5 Dec 2025, 12:47pm

   'Rob didn't need to die': Dunedin man jailed for causing partner's death (opens in new tab)

3. StuffFri 5 Dec 2025, 1:52pm

   Fatal fall from trailer: ‘It haunts me every day’ (opens in new tab)

4. RNZFri 5 Dec 2025, 2:34pm

   Dunedin man Andrew Mercer jailed for causing death of partner who fell from moving trailer (opens in new tab)

5. 1News via RNZFri 5 Dec 2025, 4:05pm

   Dunedin man jailed after partner died in fall from moving trailer (opens in new tab)