Man who used car as murder weapon jailed for 14 years

Tony Worrell's defence said he did not intend to hit any vehicles. Photo / Greg Bowker

A man convicted of using his car as a murder weapon announced he would appeal his conviction, minutes after he was jailed today for at least 14 years.

Tony Worrell showed no emotion in the High Court at Auckland as he was jailed for life, and told he must serve 14 years before he could apply for parole for the murder of Katie Powles.

He was found to have deliberately driven into her car in Karaka, south of Auckland, on June 3, 2008.

Her death came after Worrell, an alcoholic, was told by his wife their marriage was over due to his drinking.

Minutes after he was led away his lawyer, Matthew Goodwin, told reporters an appeal would be lodged.

"Mr Worrell has instructed me to appeal his conviction on the murder charge and other charges," he said.

Worrell was also jailed for seven years on one charge of causing grievous bodily harm and for 18 months on each of two charges of causing intentional damage.

He was convicted in November of Ms Powles' murder after his trial heard his wife had told him to leave the day he was discharged from treatment for alcoholism.

He was drunk when he drove into Ms Powles' car and today crown prosecutor Kieran Raftery said that was a callous act.

The court was told today of the heavy emotional impact her death had on her family and the negative effect on a man badly hurt when Worrell hit his car in the same incident.

Brett Robinson told the court he was a new member of a society which had an unwelcome entrance criteria, where membership was life.

"This is a society of victims which grows each year as more people are affected by the actions of others," he said, looking directly at Worrell as he sat in the dock.

Mr Robinson said he wondered how one person could be responsible for such upheaval to so many.

He said when Worrell drove into his car he caused him serious injuries.

His left wrist was smashed and held together with wire. Both his left and right hips were fractured as were both sides of his pelvis. His right leg was fractured in two places and his right ankle was held in place with a steel plate.

He also had a brain injury which caused him headaches.

"These injuries are severe and have had a significant impact on my and my family's life."

He said after Worrell served his jail term he should be deported to his homeland (Australia) and never allowed to return to New Zealand.

Earlier, the court was told by Ms Powles' family that her death meant "a huge part of our hearts have been taken away forever".

The court was told Worrell's life had been blighted by alcohol. He was remorseful and acknowledged the devastating consequences of his actions.

- NZPA