Man who beat partner to death jailed at least 19 years

Cary Grant Thurgood. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A man who beat his estranged partner to death will serve at least 19 years in jail.

Cary Grant Thurgood, 43, was found guilty last December of murdering mother of four Leanne Kingston in her south Auckland home in August 2009.

At his sentencing in the High Court at Auckland today, Judge Mark Cooper jailed him for life and imposed a non-parole period of 19 years.

He told Thurgood there was a degree of planning and premeditation as he went to Ms Kingston's home intent on seriously assaulting her.

"You went there with intent to cause her really serious harm. This crime had a high level of brutality, cruelty and callousness," he said.

Thurgood was also found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice with co-accused Steven John Moorby.

Thurgood was also jailed for 18 months on the second charge, the terms to be served concurrently.

Moorby was sentenced to 300 hours' community work and eight months home detention.

At his trial the court was told Thurgood beat Ms Kingston, 39, to death in the toilet of her Papakura home. Her sister found her bloodied body.

Ms Kingston tried to take refuge in the toilet, but the door was off its hinge indicating someone had forced their way in.

She also had defensive injuries indicating a struggle in the confined space.

Thurgood initially blamed the killing on his and Ms Kingston's 17-year-old son, but later said the boy played no part in the killing.

- NZPA