Johnston was found motionless on the floor by owner Nelson, who hired him in March 2020 to build a casing around a newly installed range hood.

The hood, which Burton had done electrical work on weeks ago, was found partially hanging from the bulkhead.

Johnston, 53, died of cardiac arrhythmia triggered by an electrical shock after touching the hood which was “animated” by an electrical fault.

The following month, Burton’s license was suspended while the board began an investigation, but reversed the decision when Burton applied in February 2021 to have the suspension lifted.

When Burton was sentenced following a trial last year, Judge David Ruth found it “incomprehensible” that a man had lost his life after the electrician failed to complete a simple task to pull out a wall switch to check the wiring.

Burton, who has denied wrongdoing and is competent and trustworthy, told NZME the whole process had been “very difficult” and both families’ lives had changed dramatically.

“I am deeply sorry about this whole thing. It’s a tragedy and I feel deeply for the family, but it’s also had a huge impact on my wife and family who have also been through a lot,” he told NZME.

Burton said he was now carrying out “as well as he could”, which included still being able to do supervised work, “just like an apprentice”, and that a licensed practitioner must sign off on more complex work such as connecting to live wires.

Johnston’s partner, Ruth McAlpineshe’s been able to pick up some of the pieces of her life and that of their son Jamie Johnston, but for her Burton’s apology is too little, too late, and left her wondering if it was for the right reason.

“I think it’s too late now. This should have been done a long, long time ago and it could have made a difference to me, but now it’s too late.”

Burton said he tried to apologize earlier in a pre-sentence meeting but was advised not to.

“I wasn’t cold-hearted, I just followed legal advice,” he said.

McAlpine told NZME he didn’t think the industry council’s suspension was enough.

“I guess I would have thought he would have lost his license completely,” she said.

The council’s decision followed Burton’s sentencing in February at eight months of house arrest and an order that he pay $150,000 in emotional and consequential damages, consisting of cash payments and the proposed sale of a boat.

McAlpine said she received the first lump sum of $50,000 which helped her live beyond the temporary ACC and insurance payments, but the rest was paid in part over the next five years, when she would rather not are still part of the regular payments. reminder.

Judge Ruth ordered that $100,000 of the proceeds from the sale of a boat owned by a trust be paid to the victims within 28 days of the boat’s sale.

By then, Burton was required to pay monthly installments of $3,175, but he testified at the board hearing that a lien pending payment of an outstanding debt had been placed over the boat, which had not been sold. .

McAlpine said that meant Burton “had it” for the next five years.

“I want it over with now. I don’t want to think about him for the next five years.”

McAlpine said her financial situation has changed drastically. She and Johnston had just moved home when he died, and she has since had to sell and move again after paying off the mortgage with the insurance payment.

She said her son’s future in his father’s construction business was also ruined after he gave up an electrical apprenticeship as a result of what happened.

McAlpine said she is grateful for the support of close friends who have rallied around them and who continue to offer their support.

She is preparing to return to work next year, having been busy with volunteer work since her partner’s death.

Tracy Neal is a Nelson-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She was previously RNZ’s regional reporter in Nelson-Marlborough and covered general news including court and local government for the Nelson Mail.