Woman's guilt for Good Samaritan death

Diane Nonu described to the court what happened on the day Austin Hemmings died. Photo / Richard Robinson

The woman saved by "Good Samaritan" Austin Hemmings says she blames herself for his death.

Diane Nonu took the witness box in the High Court at Auckland to tell the killer of Mr Hemmings what he had done to her life.

Ms Nonu described to the court how she had been on a cigarette break while working at a call centre in the city when she was confronted by Brown, who was angry and believed Ms Nonu had been talking about him.

He tried to back her into a corner on the street but she yelled out for help and Mr Hemmings answered.

"When I saw Austin Hemmings I was so relieved someone was around. When Mr Hemmings came over I felt better, hoping it would be enough for the offender to leave."

Ms Nonu ran to the lift and Mr Hemmings was stabbed in the upper chest by Brown. He died a short time later.

Brown went after Ms Nonu in the lift and swung at her with his knife but missed. Ms Nonu managed to fend him off. "I wish Austin never came to help me that day. If he hadn't he would still be alive and the kids would have their dad," Ms Nonu said.

Outside court, she said she hated Brown for what he had done.

"I am sad that such an awesome man has passed but happy that actually he is looking down. I consider Austin one of my angels on a day-to-day basis and that Austin is watching over his family. When I hear the name Austin, I think of an angel."

She was embraced by Mrs Hemmings and the pair chatted.

Mr Hemmings' brother, Craig, said Austin stepped in to help Ms Nonu and he hoped other New Zealanders would do the same.

"She needs to wake up in the morning and know that it was not her who killed Austin, it was Brown."