15 YEARS FOR MURDER

A teenager who killed 70-year-old semi-retired school teacher Barbara Julian during a burglary attempt will spend at least 15 years behind bars.
Jameel Job, 18, was jailed for life when he appeared for sentencing in the High Court at Whangarei yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to murder.
Ms Julian was found dead by friends and a neighbour inside her Matthews Ave, Kaitaia home on November 4, 2009.
Her siblings, friends and supporters packed the public gallery and some could be heard sobbing during sentencing by Justice Pamela Andrews.
In a brief statement after the sentencing, her sisters, Lyn Nelson and Celia Eastman, said although justice had taken its course, nothing would bring Ms Julian back.
They said the sentencing was not closure but another step in the process.
Justice Andrews said Kaitaia police responded to complaints of a man behaving in an aggressive manner by flagging down motorists and beating on bonnets and doors of passing cars on the afternoon Ms Julian died.
About 4.30pm, she said some friends of Ms Julian who went to visit her witnessed a man leaving the house wearing a bathrobe.
They then discovered her dead.
Her clothes were removed from waist down and she had suffered extensive injuries, including fractured ribs, middle finger and an arm.
She was preparing food for a get-together with some friends when Job confronted her.
A struggle ensued when she asked him to leave.
Crown prosecutor Mike Smith submitted that a minimum non parole of more than 17 years was appropriate because of the aggravating features.
He said when caught committing burglary, Job not only killed Ms Julian but committed indecencies and other crimes inside her house.
He poured liquid on parts of her body to avoid detection and to hide the evidence, Mr Smith said.
Defence lawyer Doug Blaikie said Job had been living on the streets and had underlying mental issues during a difficult upbringing. Job lacked emotional nourishment and was passed on to other family members during his formative years, he said.
After receiving treatment, Mr Blaikie said Job had developed an insight in to his actions and has sincerely apologised to Ms Julian's family. "He has failed society and to some degree society has failed him," he said, referring to Job's upbringing.
Justice Andrews said Job attacked Ms Julian with a bottle and kicked her, even though the woman could not be a threat to him.
The Judge said physical and mental abuse was common in Job's childhood.
His mother could not look after him.
He was the eldest of seven siblings.
She said Job was on a cocktail of alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis when he attacked Ms Julian.
Justice Andrews reminded those in the public gallery that Job's life sentence didn't mean he would be released after 15 years.
Whether or not he was released after serving 15 years would be decided by the Parole Board, she explained.