Brett Muirson insists he is no hero.
The panelbeater and volunteer fireman from a small community south of Auckland was singled out for praise by a High Court judge today, but said anyone would have done what he did when he tried to stop a murder.
In the High Court at Auckland
today Justice Rhys Harrison said Mr Muirson "acted in the noble tradition of a good samaritan" when he tried to stop Shane Hoko from strangling and drowning hitchhiker Jennifer Hargreaves, 17, on a remote country road at Patumahoe, 53km south of Auckland last December.
When Hoko threatened Mr Muirson and his sons with a gun he reversed away rapidly with his sons screaming they were about to be killed.
Justice Harrison today sentenced Hoko life in prison for murdering Ms Hargreaves and imposed a 17-year non-parole term.
On a charge of rendering Mr Muirson incapable of providing assistance by threatening him and his sons Shaun and Brad with a gun, Hoko was jailed for seven years.
The sentences were to be served concurrently.
The judge said that based on forensic evidence, Ms Hargreaves was probably dead when Mr Muirson and Shaun arrived and tried to help.
"I wish to pay particular tribute today to Mr Muirson's bravery," Justice Harrison said.
In a victim impact report, Mr Muirson said the image of Jennifer Hargreaves' lifeless, colourless body still haunted him.
Outside court today Mr Muirson said he was no hero.
"None of us are heroes. Anybody would do the same if they were in my position, I am sure of it.
"It is something you do naturally. It is probably in my nature but I am definitely not a hero."
Jennifer Hargreaves' family disagreed.
John Hargreaves, the murdered girl's adoptive father, said it was hard to know what to say about Mr Muirson's actions.
"He is a gem."
- NZPA
