Hemmings' murderer jailed for at least 16 years

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

The man who admitted killing "good Samaritan" Austin Hemmings has been sentenced to a minimum of 16 years imprisonment.

Pauesi Leofa Brown, 47, was today sentenced for the murder of Mr Hemmings in September 2008.

Brown stabbed Mr Hemmings when the 44-year-old stepped between him and a woman he was arguing with, Diane Nonu, at the bottom of a central Auckland building.

On November 1, the morning his trial was set to begin, Brown had pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Hemmings and assaulting Ms Nonu.

Brown, 47, stabbed Mr Hemmings when the 44-year-old stepped between him and a woman he was arguing with, Diane Nonu, at the bottom of a central Auckland building.

At the Auckland High Court this morning, Brown was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 16 years for Mr Hemmings' murder plus two years for assaulting Ms Nonu, to be served concurrently.

In sentencing, Justice Geoffrey Venning questioned whether Brown was truly remorseful.

"Most prisoners who are sentenced say they are sorry," he said.

"I do not yet consider you have shown true remorse in this case."

Judge Venning said Brown continued to justify his actions and had failed to take responsibility for what he had done.

Judge Venning said there was a need for the court to protect the community from people like Brown.

"You have an established propensity for violent offenders and what is worse violent offending with a knife.

He acknowledged Brown had psychological issues.

"You have already had a number of opportunities to address the issues that you have."




After Brown last month admitted killing her husband, Mr Hemmings' widow Jenny said she hoped Brown would be jailed for "a long time".

"New Zealand doesn't need this man on the streets," Mrs Hemmings said.

She also called for the carrying of knives to be made illegal.

The Herald revealed last month that Brown had repeatedly stabbed his estranged girlfriend in the neck and chest while they were living in Melbourne in 1992.

He was charged with murder, but the charge was reduced to manslaughter and he was convicted in December 1993.

Brown was also jailed in New Zealand on three separate occasions for knife incidents dating back to 1987.

Depositions hearing

A depositions hearing last October heard that Ms Nonu had been working at a call centre on Mills Lane and was on a cigarette break when she was confronted by Brown, who was former partner of her friend.

The court was told that Brown believed Ms Nonu had been talking about him behind his back.

When Ms Nonu backed away from Brown, Mr Hemmings approached and asked what was happening.

Brown told him it was none of his business and Mr Hemmings stepped between Brown and Ms Nonu and told her to run.

Brown stabbed Mr Hemmings before punching Ms Nonu in the face and swinging at her stomach with a knife, but missing his target.