Post by sparrow on Jul 23, 2010 23:54:59 GMT 12
Check this out: www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3950467/Teen-killer-jailed-for-minimum-of-11-and-a-half-years
Teen killer jailed for minimum of 11-and-a-half years
By CLIO FRANCIS - Stuff Last updated 10:41 23/07/2010
A teenager who murdered her ex-boyfriend's mother by burning down her house while she slept inside will serve at least 11-and-a-half years in jail.
The victim's three young sons wiped away tears as they told their mother's killer they would never forgive her.
Tonia Bennett, now aged 17, set fire to a sweatshirt doused in absinthe in the stairwell of Lynette Chapman's Pukekohe home on January 20 last year.
Ms Chapman, 49, was overcome by smoke and died in her bedroom.
Bennett pleaded guilty to murder and two counts of arson in March this year.
This morning at the High Court at Auckland, Justice Geoffrey Venning sentenced Bennett to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 11 and a half years.
Crown prosecutor Kevin Glubb said Bennett went to the home Ms Chapman shared with her sons Brad, 18, Todd, 20, and Cole, 11 in Wellington St. They would normally be sleeping at the home but on the night of the fire were staying at their father's house.
Bennett had previously been in a relationship with Ms Chapman's son, Brad.
The court heard that around 1am, Bennett took clothes belonging to Brad Chapman to Ms Chapman's home, drenched them in absinthe and tried to set them alight.
They failed to ignite fully so Ms Bennett returned a second time, entering the house and pouring more absinthe over a sweatshirt and setting it on fire in the stairwell.
Ms Chapman was asleep in her bedroom and died from smoke inhalation.
Ms Chapman's son Brad, 19, read his victim impact statement directly to his former girlfriend.
"Our mum was a kind, gentle soul who would never hurt anyone.
"You have ruined my life."
Mr Chapman said he had introduced Bennett to his mother.
"Without warning you did this cruel and evil act...you took our mother's life.
"I keep asking myself, why? How could you do this? It still doesn't make sense to me.
"I will never forgive you for what you've done."
Ms Chapman's three sons stood with their arms around each other as their statements were read aloud to the court.
Justice Venning said Bennett's "stupid" actions that night had greatly impacted the lives of Ms Chapman's family.
"You have taken a mother, a partner, and daughter from the people who loved her."
A 19-year-old man who was with Bennett on the night of the fire was also charged over the death.
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He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson in March and was jailed for two years.
The man - who has interim name suppression - was granted leave to apply for home detention.
If you have time - check out the crazy eyed freak.
Teen killer jailed for minimum of 11-and-a-half years
By CLIO FRANCIS - Stuff Last updated 10:41 23/07/2010
A teenager who murdered her ex-boyfriend's mother by burning down her house while she slept inside will serve at least 11-and-a-half years in jail.
The victim's three young sons wiped away tears as they told their mother's killer they would never forgive her.
Tonia Bennett, now aged 17, set fire to a sweatshirt doused in absinthe in the stairwell of Lynette Chapman's Pukekohe home on January 20 last year.
Ms Chapman, 49, was overcome by smoke and died in her bedroom.
Bennett pleaded guilty to murder and two counts of arson in March this year.
This morning at the High Court at Auckland, Justice Geoffrey Venning sentenced Bennett to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 11 and a half years.
Crown prosecutor Kevin Glubb said Bennett went to the home Ms Chapman shared with her sons Brad, 18, Todd, 20, and Cole, 11 in Wellington St. They would normally be sleeping at the home but on the night of the fire were staying at their father's house.
Bennett had previously been in a relationship with Ms Chapman's son, Brad.
The court heard that around 1am, Bennett took clothes belonging to Brad Chapman to Ms Chapman's home, drenched them in absinthe and tried to set them alight.
They failed to ignite fully so Ms Bennett returned a second time, entering the house and pouring more absinthe over a sweatshirt and setting it on fire in the stairwell.
Ms Chapman was asleep in her bedroom and died from smoke inhalation.
Ms Chapman's son Brad, 19, read his victim impact statement directly to his former girlfriend.
"Our mum was a kind, gentle soul who would never hurt anyone.
"You have ruined my life."
Mr Chapman said he had introduced Bennett to his mother.
"Without warning you did this cruel and evil act...you took our mother's life.
"I keep asking myself, why? How could you do this? It still doesn't make sense to me.
"I will never forgive you for what you've done."
Ms Chapman's three sons stood with their arms around each other as their statements were read aloud to the court.
Justice Venning said Bennett's "stupid" actions that night had greatly impacted the lives of Ms Chapman's family.
"You have taken a mother, a partner, and daughter from the people who loved her."
A 19-year-old man who was with Bennett on the night of the fire was also charged over the death.
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He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson in March and was jailed for two years.
The man - who has interim name suppression - was granted leave to apply for home detention.
If you have time - check out the crazy eyed freak.