Hemmings family 'torn to shreds'

Pauesi Leofa Brown (L) and Austin Hemmings (R). Photos / Steven McNicholls, Supplied

The family of 'good Samaritan' Austin Hemmings has been "torn to shreds" by his murder, a court heard today.

Pauesi Leofa Brown, 47, was today sentenced to a minimum of 16 years imprisonment for the murder of Mr Hemmings in September 2008.

Brown stabbed Mr Hemmings when the 44-year-old stepped between him and a woman he was arguing with, Diane Nonu, at the bottom of a central Auckland building.

On November 1, the morning his trial was set to begin, Brown had pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Hemmings and assaulting Ms Nonu.

Mr Hemmings' widow Jenny's victim impact statement was read to the Auckland High Court at Brown's sentencing this morning.

She described a man who "people looked up to", and who she was looking forward to living the rest of her life with.

"Gareth, Jessica and Meghann will not have a grandfather for their children. I will not have a husband to grow old with," she said.

"Austin was a man who lived for his family and his home life. A family man who believed strongly in his God."

Mrs Hemmings reflected on the last day of her husband's life.

"That day Austin kissed me goodbye," she said. "Every day Austin would give me a kiss before he went to work and tell me how much he loved me."

When she learnt of his death she described it as the "most mind numbing feeling for anyone to experience."

Mrs Hemmings said she struggled to comprehend how Brown could have "such contempt for the gift of life".

"I wanted his killer to be punished for what he has done to us."

She said since the murder she had received more than 700 letters of support from the public.

Mr Hemmings became known as the "Good Samaritan".

"That is an accurate description for who he is," Mrs Hemmings said.

Mrs Hemmings said the family had been "torn to shreds" but would survive.

"We, the Hemmings family, are whole in spirit and in soul. We will endure."

Judge questions remorse

Justice Geoffrey Venning sentenced Brown to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 16 years for Mr Hemmings' murder plus two years for assaulting Ms Nonu, to be served concurrently.

In sentencing, Justice Venning questioned whether Brown was truly remorseful.

"Most prisoners who are sentenced say they are sorry," he said.

"I do not yet consider you have shown true remorse in this case."

Justice Venning said Brown continued to justify his actions and had failed to take responsibility for what he had done.

He said there was a need for the court to protect the community from people like Brown.

"You have an established propensity for violent offenders and what is worse violent offending with a knife.

He acknowledged Brown had psychological issues.

"You have already had a number of opportunities to address the issues that you have."

'I feel your pain'

Defence counsel Barry Hunt read out a letter by Brown in which he apologised to Mr Hemmings' family and said he took responsibility for his actions.

"I feel your pain. I hear you cry every day and every night," he wrote.

Brown said he had a strict upbringing and was badly beaten by his father. He also acknowledged he had anger management issues he was trying to address.

"I'm not using this as an excuse for my wrong doing."

Brown said he had since learnt of the sort of man Mr Hemmings had been, and said he had "inspired" him to find God.

"The message from God is clear. I have to be punished. I must be ready to suffer."

Mr Hemming was a devout Christian whose family said he had an "unmovable, unshakeable faith".

Brown said he was ready to accept whatever sentence the judge saw fit.

Past convictions

After Brown last month admitted killing her husband, Jenny Hemmings said she hoped Brown would be jailed for "a long time".

"New Zealand doesn't need this man on the streets," Mrs Hemmings said.

She also called for the carrying of knives to be made illegal.

The Herald revealed last month that Brown had repeatedly stabbed his estranged girlfriend in the neck and chest while they were living in Melbourne in 1992.

He was charged with murder, but the charge was reduced to manslaughter and he was convicted in December 1993.

Brown was also jailed in New Zealand on three separate occasions for knife incidents dating back to 1987.

Depositions hearing

A depositions hearing last October heard that Ms Nonu had been working at a call centre on Mills Lane and was on a cigarette break when she was confronted by Brown, who was the former partner of her friend.

The court was told that Brown believed Ms Nonu had been talking about him behind his back.

When Ms Nonu backed away from Brown, Mr Hemmings approached and asked what was happening.

Brown told him it was none of his business and Mr Hemmings stepped between Brown and Ms Nonu and told her to run.

Brown stabbed Mr Hemmings before punching Ms Nonu in the face and swinging at her stomach with a knife, but missing his target.