Life imprisonment for Sauaki

Murder accused Jio-Peni Sauaki. Photo / Kenny Rodger.

A South Auckland man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole-period of 12 years for a street killing.

Jio-Pene Sauaki used a hunting knife to stab an unarmed 18-year-old Kelly Lawrence in the heart after a confrontation in Manurewa in October 2005.

Sauaki was sentenced by Justice Lynton Stevens in the High Court at Auckland today after being convicted at trial in September.

Justice Stevens said the murder was "gratuitous street violence of the kind that needs to be stamped out".

Sauaki was on bail at the time of the stabbing after being charged with involvement in another high-profile South Auckland attack.

The 21-year-old was the driver in a violent attack in which JCB - Juvanyle Crip Boys - members left two members of rival street gang the PDBs fighting for their lives during Labour weekend 2005.

A PDB member retaliated by murdering the father of a JCB member, starting the string of street and gang murders across Auckland.

- NZ Herald staff