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The man who murdered teenager Liam Ashley in the back of a prison van was today sentenced to serve at least 18 years in prison.
But Liam's mother, Lorraine Ashley, told a packed High Court that she and her family were still left living "at the bottom of a great black pit".
George Charlie Baker was given a life sentence, with a minimum parole period of 18 years, when he was sentenced in the High Court in Auckland.
The 25-year-old had admitted strangling and stomping on 17-year-old Ashley on August 24.
Ashley died the following day after his life support was switched off.
Mrs Ashley gave an emotional speech, saying he had been a "huge part of all our lives".
"The void we now find without him is torture.
"Each day is another day to get through. The guilt my children carry is a load my husband and I bear."
Justice Rhys Harrison said Baker had limited insight into his offending and was a "serious danger to himself and other people".
Baker and Liam Ashley were in the back of a prison van being taken back to Auckland's Mt Eden Prison from North Shore District Court when Baker attacked Ashley.
Baker later told police he believed Ashley was a "nark".
Other charges
Baker was also sentenced on other charges including two of threatening to kill, one of aggravated robbery and one of assault with intent to wound.
He had pleaded guilty earlier this month over the attack on a youth in Beach Haven in April. It is understood Baker had been free at that point for just three weeks after seven years in jail and psychiatric care for the violent invasion of a woman's home.
Crown Prosecutor, Simon Moore, urged the judge to sentence Baker to a minimum of 20 to 22 years in jail.
He said Baker had "an extremely violent disposition".
Mr Moore said Baker wore a violent disorder "like a badge of pride".
Baker's counsel, Tony Boshier, said there was no doubt the Ashley family had suffered a terrible loss but the murder had been preventable.
He read a letter from Baker which said, "I can only say I am truly sorry for taking Liam's life from you".
But he went on to say he had been let down by mental health authorities who he claimed had failed to help his psychiatric disorders.
Mr Boshier said there had been a "monumental systemic failure by the state" for failing to ensure Baker was treated properly once he left prison for an earlier violent offence".
But Justice Harrison said he could only sentence Baker on the facts before him, rather than comment on alleged problems with mental health authorities.
A Corrections Department report released earlier this week detailed a series of miscommunications, errors and misunderstandings that culminated in the teenager being placed in the same compartment of the van as Baker.
Liam Ashley's parents said earlier this week they were considering suing the Corrections Department.
