Friday, 19 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Crime

Grace Millane's killer loses appeal of murder conviction and sentence, while suppression continues

17 Dec, 2020 09:45 PM5 minutes to read
Focus Live: The man convicted of murdering Grace Millane has been sentenced to at least 17 years in prison, but he will likely appeal.

Focus Live: The man convicted of murdering Grace Millane has been sentenced to at least 17 years in prison, but he will likely appeal.

NZ Herald
By: Chelsea Boyle, Anna Leask and Sam Hurley

The man who murdered British backpacker Grace Millane has lost his conviction and sentence appeal.

Earlier today, New Zealand's Supreme Court made a last minute order suppressing the identity of the man.

In August, the killer took his case to the Court of Appeal in an attempt to overturn his murder conviction and sentence.

The court released its decision just after 11am.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"To be plain about matters, it really is very difficult to imagine much greater vulnerability than the situation Ms Millane found herself in on the evening of Saturday, 1 December 2018," the judges said.

"Intoxicated, in a strange hotel room, naked, in the arms of a comparative stranger with whom she thought she had 'clicked' (and could therefore trust), and with his hands about her throat. Unable to cry out, unable to breathe, lapsing into unconsciousness."

Yesterday, the Court of Appeal's president Justice Stephen Kós, alongside Justice Patricia Courtney and Justice Mark Cooper, also ruled the murderer's interim name suppression would lapse at the same time.

The killer, however, did not bow to the order and asked the country's top court to continue his suppression until a second appeal can be heard.

Just before 11am, the Supreme Court made an interim order suppressing his name until further order of the court.

Millane family thanks Court of Appeal

In a statement provided to the Herald, Grace Millane's family thanked the judges and others involved with the case.

Related articles

New Zealand|Crime

Grace Millane's killer appeals murder conviction and jail sentence

17 Mar 10:32 PM
New Zealand|Crime

Grace Millane's family ripped apart in a 'barbaric way'

22 Nov 07:18 AM
New Zealand|Crime

'I'd have done anything to change places': Mum's message to Grace's killer

21 Feb 04:00 PM
New Zealand|Crime

Police warning over online hook-ups after sex assault complaints

16 Dec 10:02 PM

"We are pleased at the outcome that has been reached today and would like to take this opportunity once again to thank Justice Stephen Kos, Justice Patricia Courtney and Justice Mark Cooper; The Crown prosecution team Brian Dickey and Robin McCoubrey; Auckland City District Police, especially Detective inspector Scott Beard, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Brand, Detective Sergeant Tony McKenzie and Detective Toni Jordan for their hard work, dedication and unflinching support," the family said.

"We would also like to thank the people of New Zealand for the love and support they have shown to Grace and our family over the last two years."

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard, left, alongside Grace Millane's parents Gillian and her late father David after the trial last November. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Detective Inspector Scott Beard, left, alongside Grace Millane's parents Gillian and her late father David after the trial last November. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Millane's family said: "Grace was a kind, fun-loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, aunty, cousin and friend with her whole life ahead of her.

"She was enjoying the first of what would have been a lifetime of adventures before her life was so cruelly and brutally cut short by her murderer."

The Millane family said the young woman had a sense of fun, adventure, and loved travel and exploring.

"Along with her ability to light up any room she walked into it with her generosity of spirit, are memories we as a family cherish and how we will forever remember her."

The Millane family said while the focus would "inevitably be on the outcome of today's legal process" they had their girl at the forefront of their minds.

"As a family our hearts and our love will always be with our beautiful Grace," they said.
"Grace, you are, and will always be, our sunshine."

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

As the matter of name suppression is still to be dealt with by the Court, police were unable to comment on the case or outcome.

Read More

  • Grace Millane's family share their heartbreak after death of father David Millane - NZ Herald
  • Grace Millane murder: Accused's actions 'inexcusable' but trial process 'miscarried' - NZ Heral...
  • Grace Millane murder: Killer jailed for a minimum of 17 years - NZ Herald
  • Grace Millane murder: Killer appeals conviction and 17-year minimum jail sentence - NZ Herald
  • Grace Millane murder trial: Jury returns guilty verdict and brings justice to backpacker's fami...
  • Grace Millane murder, killer's sentencing: Her mother speaks to killer for first time - NZ Hera...

In February, the killer was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum period of 17 years for murdering Millane.

He was convicted in November 2019 after a high-profile trial, which gained international attention, for strangling her to death in an Auckland hotel room.

Millane, who had been travelling the world, went missing on the eve of her 22nd birthday in December 2018.

British backpacker Grace Millane was murdered in Auckland in December 2018. Photo / Supplied
British backpacker Grace Millane was murdered in Auckland in December 2018. Photo / Supplied

She had matched with her killer on the dating app Tinder before they met near a Christmas tree under Auckland's Sky Tower and spent the night drinking at nearby bars.

Millane was last seen alive on CCTV with her murderer, walking towards his downtown Auckland apartment.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

But the university graduate would never leave the room alive - her body later found dumped in a shallow grave in the Waitākere Ranges.

"Exactly what happened from the moment Miss Millane first stepped into [the apartment] we will never know," the trial judge, Justice Simon Moore, said at the killer's sentencing.

"Only two people were witness to those events and one is not alive to tell us. ... We do not know if Miss Millane struggled but it is likely she did."

The killer has continued to claim he is innocent and controversially argued at trial that Millane died due to complications from consensual sex while both were highly intoxicated and engaged in BDSM.

Subscribe to Premium

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand

Local Focus: Graeme Taylor on Candidate Camera

18 Aug 11:14 AM
New Zealand

Live: Army evacuating residents near Nelson over slips, high tide fears

18 Aug 09:00 AM
New Zealand|Crime

Armed police respond to 'serious assault' in Otahuhu

18 Aug 08:46 AM
New Zealand

Waikato Hospital ward in lockdown after Covid spreads

18 Aug 05:30 AM
New Zealand|Crime

Judge changes little boy's name to avoid links to criminal dad

18 Aug 08:00 AM

Most Popular

Live: Army evacuating residents near Nelson over slips, high tide fears
New Zealand

Live: Army evacuating residents near Nelson over slips, high tide fears

18 Aug 09:00 AM
Judge changes little boy's name to avoid links to criminal dad
New Zealand|Crime

Judge changes little boy's name to avoid links to criminal dad

18 Aug 08:00 AM
Seally season: Seal chases cat into marine biologist's lounge
New Zealand

Seally season: Seal chases cat into marine biologist's lounge

18 Aug 06:18 AM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP