Grief flows as Worrell convicted

Tony Worrell trembled and sobbed loudly after being found guilty of murdering Katie Powles and causing Brett Robinson grievous bodily harm. Photo / Dean Purcell

Tony Worrell's victims have found comfort in each other but will never forgive him for his "senseless act of selfishness".

Worrell was yesterday found guilty of murdering Katie Powles, 26, and of causing Brett Robinson grievous bodily harm.

He deliberately drove into their cars as he tried to kill himself on June 3, 2008, after an argument with his wife. He had been released from hospital that day after an earlier suicide attempt.

Mr Robinson read a statement after the verdicts on behalf of both his family and the Powles, families which he said had been united by the tragedy.

"Because of the selfish act of one person the impact on our lives continues to be significant," he said. "As victims of this senseless act of selfishness, we are left asking ourselves why and realising there is and never will be an answer that can provide comfort."

Their grief was magnified by the knowledge "that we should not be here. This event was avoidable". Grief and pain would be with the families for the rest of their lives and he doubted Worrell would ever understand what he had done.

Mr Robinson was seriously injured in the crash and has been unable to return to work. Worrell hit him as he drove his two sons home from soccer training, causing his Fiat Uno to roll. Worrell continued on, ploughing into Mrs Powles head-on seconds later.

Her husband, Darren, could not speak as he left court yesterday supported by family. The couple were married less than four months but had been together eight years.

The jury also found Worrell guilty of two counts of attempting to cause intentional damage but acquitted him of two counts of the same charge. The verdicts were all majority ones, 11 jurors to one. As they were announced in the High Court at Auckland, he reacted with loud sobs, closing his eyes and looking at the ceiling with a pained expression on his face.

He then slumped to his seat with his head down but was told to stand when Justice Pamela Andrews formally convicted him. As she did so, tears ran down his face and he stood with his hands clenched in front of him, trembling and crying loudly as he was led away.

His lawyer, Matthew Goodwin, said Worrell was remorseful. "He's always deeply regretted that he was driving that night.

"Obviously, it's probably of little comfort to the families to hear that, but he does want it to be known that he's truly sorry."

Mr Goodwin said after the verdicts Worrell was "very disappointed, upset and emotional".

He wanted to write to the Powles family but was concerned how they would react.

A decision on whether to appeal would not be made until after sentencing on December 18.