Freezing worker to be sentenced for Christchurch murder

Vanessa Pickering. Photo / Simon Baker

Malcolm George Chaston will be sentenced this morning for the murder of Christchurch woman Vanessa Anne Pickering, whose body was found down a bank near Chrsitchurch's Godley Head more than a year ago.

The 41-year-old freezing worker also pleaded guilty to Miss Pickering's murder and assault with intent to commit sexual violation against a second woman, as his trial was due to begin in the High Court at Christchurch on February 14.

He also pleaded guilty to a further charge of sexual violation relating to a third woman.

Miss Pickering, 27, went missing from her Christchurch home one night in February last year. She was known to Chaston, having worked with him at a meat-packing plant that day.

Two days later, Chaston was captured by police using road spikes to stop his car at Cheviot, North Canterbury. He was driving a car that was being sought in connection with Miss Pickering's disappearance.

Miss Pickering's body was found down a hillside at Godley Head on February 11. According to the murder charge faced by Chaston, she had been stabbed.

The crown has indicated that it will seek an open-ended jail sentence of preventive detention for Chaston.

- NZPA