Convicted-murderer George Aaron Marson will spend at least 12 years in jail for killing his pregnant girlfriend Natasha Tana-Brind at Ngunguru last August.
Marson, 37, was sentenced in the High Court at Whangarei today in a courtroom filled by friends and family of the couple.
Marson was found guilty at trial last month of using a hammer to inflict fatal blows to his 24-year- old partner's head, before setting alight their car and garage to dispose of her body.
In sentencing, Justice Nicholson took into account submissions from Crown Solicitor Phil Smith, and defence counsel Ken Bailey.
While murder carries a mandatory life sentence, the Crown sought a non- parole period of more than the usual 10 years.
Mr Smith said the brutal killing was premeditated, and aggravated by the fact Ms Tana-Brind was pregnant with Marson's baby.
Marson had tricked her into joining him in the garage, knocking her out with a knuckleduster before dealing the fatal blows. He had shown no remorse, Mr Smith submitted.
Mr Bailey contended Marson was hugely sorry and had set fire to the car intending to kill himself. The victim was "thankfully unconscious" when the fatal blows were struck.
Mr Bailey said Marson had grown up in a extremely violent household and was almost "predestined" to continue the cycle himself.
Justice Nicholson took into account the nature of Marson's relationship with his victim - who was his partner and mother of his child and unborn child.
"She trusted you and you abused that trust and you killed her virtually in her own home."
Victim impact statements clearly showed how members of Ms Tana-Brind's family had been affected by her death, Justice Nicholson said.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
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