R v Dickinson - [2026] NZHC 2570

The defendant appeared for sentence on their guilty pleas to murder in culmination of five breaches (one representative) of a protection order made in favour of the victim, who was the defendant’s former partner. The defendant, while on bail awaiting sentence for two of the admitted breach of protection order charges, had entered the victim’s home unannounced, stabbing them 13 times. On the murder conviction, the Court found the Sentencing Act 2002’s s 104(1A)(c), (d), (e) and (h) factors were engaged, and sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment with a minimum period of imprisonment of 17 years. On the protection order convictions, the Court sentenced the defendant to six years and nine months’ imprisonment, to be served concurrently.