Good Samaritan killer loses appeal

Pauesi Leofa Brown (L) and Austin Hemmings (R). Photos / Steven McNicholls, Supplied

The Supreme Court has thrown out a bid by the man who murdered "Good Samaritan" Austin Hemmings to have his minimum jail term of 16 years reduced.

Mr Hemmings, 44, died in September 2008 after going to help a woman Pauesi Leofa Brown was attacking. Brown stabbed Mr Hemmings in the chest.

Brown admitted murder just before his trial was due to start and last year was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The sentencing judge reduced his starting point of 16-1/2 years minimum non-parole by six months but Brown went to the Supreme Court arguing the reduction was not enough.

However, in a decision released today, the court rejected his argument, saying it had no merit.

The starting point could have been higher, the justices said.

"The sentence was, if anything, lenient and the guilty plea was not deserving of any greater reduction."

- NZPA