Man gets 11 years for Howick murder

A 20-year-old man who stabbed a man to death in Howick in December 2007 will spend at least 11 years in jail.

Another man, also 20, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for manslaughter following a sentencing in the High Court in Auckland yesterday.

The men, whose names are suppressed, were found guilty last year after Daryl Graydon, 26, was killed during a night out. Both were found not guilty of the attempted murder of Mr Graydon's colleague, Campbell Sussex.

Earlier, family members of Mr Graydon walked out when a statement of remorse was read out by the murderer's lawyer. They did not wish to comment on the sentence in the event of an appeal being made.

The two groups had been at separate parties in Howick. While walking home, Mr Graydon and Mr Sussex got into an argument with the two accused, which ended with Mr Graydon punching one of the accused.

After that the two accused men picked up three knives before returning to seek out Mr Graydon and Mr Sussex.

- NZPA