R v Tutai - [2024] NZHC 3499

Sentencing - the offender had pleaded guilty to a charge of murdering his former partner and the mother of their six-year-old son - the offender had caused the victim's death by stabbing her on seven occasions after they became involved in a verbal altercation - the offending occurred in the victim's home in circumstances where other members of the victim's family were present but did not witness the stabbing take place HELD that although the offending was bad, it did not reach the level required to engage s 104(1 )( e) of the Sentencing Act 2002 - the aggravating features of the offending meant that a minimum term of imprisonment of 14 years six months was appropriate - discount of 12 months given for guilty plea together with a further discount of six months to reflect personal factors identified in reports tendered to the Court - offender sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve 13 years before being eligible to apply for parole.