Not fair Pike River can walk away: Judge July 4, 2013 - 6:09PM A New Zealand judge says it's unfair insolvent company Pike River Coal was able to walk away from its responsibilities to provide for the families of 29 men who died in its mine in 2010. Pike River Coal is being sentenced at Greymouth District Court after not contesting nine health and safety charges laid after the death of 29 men, including two Australians, in an explosion at the mine in November 2010. Judge Jane Farish ruled at an earlier hearing that the company made fundamental breaches of the Health and Safety Act, which led to the deaths. The company could face a maximum fine of $NZ250,000 ($A216,216) for each charge, but its receiver John Fisk said in April there were no funds to meet anything. Judge Farish told the first day of a two-day sentencing hearing after listening to statements from a number of family members of the deceased that it was unfair. I agree with some of the sentiments expressed in the victim impact reports that it's unjust that this company can within a month of the incident occurring, basically shut up shop and walk away without providing in any way for the men and their families who've died. She said a substantial fine could still be imposed as a deterrent to others. A number of family members gave emotional accounts on Thursday of how the tragedy affected them. Cath Monk, whose son Michael died in the explosion, said it was hurtful and insulting that nobody has admitted their responsibility. Judge Farish is due to deliver the company's sentence on Friday morning. Drilling company Valley Longwall International Drilling was fined $NZ46,800 in October after admitting it failed to protect its own staff and Pike River staff. Former Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall has denied health and safety charges laid against him and his trial has been moved to Wellington after he successfully argued he couldn't present his best defence in Greymouth.