Man jailed for life for girlfriend's murder

Gordon Hieatt has been jailed for life for the 2009 murder of Nuttidar Vaikaew. Photo / NZ Herald

An Auckland computer programmer who strangled his Thai sex worker girlfriend in 2009 last year will serve at least 11 years in jail.

Gordon Hieatt, 48, was found guilty in November of the murder of Nuttidar Vaikaew, 48, some time after April 16 in 2009.

He was jailed for life by Justice John Priestley in the High Court at Auckland today. The judge ordered him to serve a minimum of 11 years before he could be eligible for parole.

The judge said Hieatt tried to minimise his involvement in Ms Vaikaew's death and put the blame on her.

Hiett told the jury at his trial he killed her after they argued about him having to leave the small apartment they shared at Western Springs when she was seeing clients.

Her decomposed body was found in the apartment a month later with Hieatt was still living there.

Hieatt indicated he would appeal his conviction.

- NZPA