Sisters murdered after years of violence

12.00pm

Timeline of events prior to the deaths of Masterton half-sisters Saliel Aplin and Olympia Jetson, outlined in today's report into their care by the Office of the Commissioner for Children.

* Feb 13, 1989 -- Saliel Jalessa April born, second child of Charlene Aplin.

* Nov 6, 1990 -- Olympia Marisa Jetson born. A brother was born in April 1992 and another sister in July 1993.

* 1992 -- Charlene Aplin applies for non-violence order and spends time in a women's refuge.

* 1993 -- Charlene Aplin reconciles with her husband, but after further domestic violence and court involvement the marriage ends.

At the end of the year Charlene Aplin contacts police, concerned the girls may have been suffering from sexual abuse. Evidence was inconclusive, and the girls received counselling.

* 1994 -- Saliel and Olympia's elder sister repeats sexual abuse allegations. Police are once more called, but no evidence is found.

Counselling continues.

Soon after Charlene Aplin begins a relationship with Bruce Howse.

In March 1994 Charlene Aplin contacts CYF and police after a dispute between herself and Howse. It is alleged Olympia and Saliel had suffered injuries inflicted by Howse. In an April interview with CYF the children report physical abuse by Howse.

By the middle of May 1994, all Charlene's children are removed and placed with her parents. By the end of the year she reports to CYF she is concerned her parents are not caring adequately for her children.

* 1996 -- On August 1 the court rules Saliel and Olympia and their brother can return to live with their mother and Howse.

In November 1996 their elder sister returns to live with them, and by Christmas Howse's five children were also living with them.

* 1997 -- In April Charlene Aplin takes legal steps to protect herself from Howse, but soon after the couple reconcile.

* 1999 -- On October 4, Charlene Aplin and Howse have a daughter. Domestic violence is reported to the authorities on several occasions, and eventually Charlene Aplin leaves Howse and takes all the children to her parents' home.

* 2000 -- After living with her parents for six months, Charlene Aplin moves the family to Ashhurst. Howse attempts to take the baby from the house and police are called. A separate violent incident sees police called. The family move to Woodville briefly, before returning to Masterton. Soon after returning to Masterton, Charlene Aplin reconciles with Howse.

By the end of September 2000, Howse leaves home after a violent incident. Soon after he returns home and abducts the baby. Charlene Aplin retrieves the child and further fights ensue, before another reconciliation.

* 2001 -- Charlene Aplin is pregnant again. She and Howse briefly separate, but reconcile. The pregnancy is not easy, and Olympia and Saliel are often left in the care of Howse and their elder sister while their mother spends time in hospital. A baby girl is born in July.

On August 3 2001, Olympia's school contacts Charlene Aplin to say Olympia has made an accusation of sexual abuse. By the following Monday she has withdrawn the accusation. In September the eldest Aplin girl leaves home, as does Howse's son.

On November 20 a fight erupts between Howse and Charlene Aplin. The police are called and Howse is taken to his son's address. He phones Charlene Aplin several times that night threatening to "kill them all". He returns to the home the next day and is asked to leave permanently. Howse says Charlene Aplin has no legal right to keep him out of the home.

On December 1, Saliel has an argument with Howse, and tells him she is "going to nark on him".

On December 3, Saliel and Olympia are stabbed, each receiving a single knife wound. They die early on December 4, having bled to death.

- NZPA