Mental illness saves murderer from life sentence

Dorothy Beryl Campbell was strangled to death in 2008 by Wayne Reid. Photo / Supplied

A man found guilty of murdering his elderly neighbour has avoided a term of life imprisonment due to a serious psychotic illness.

Wayne John Reid, 59, was found guilty of murdering his 84-year-old neighbour, Beryl Campbell, at her West Auckland unit in February 2008.

He had pleaded not guilty on the grounds of insanity.

Justice Tim Brewer said convicted murderers are sentenced to life imprisonment unless it is "manifestly unjust".

Justice Brewer said due to the psychotic illness that Reid was suffering from at the time, he did not see a term of life imprisonment as just.

He said the parole board would take into account Reid's psychiatric condition when assessing him at the end of his sentence.

Reid was jailed for 10 years. No minimum non-parole period was imposed.

The illness meant Reid had become convinced Mrs Campbell was spying on her.

He went to her unit to confront her, and after she denied spying, Reid strangled her, firstly with his hands and then with a towel.

"I have no doubt you would not have killed Mrs Campbell had it not been for your illness," Justice Brewer told the court. "At the time it was not recognised, and you were not being treated for it."

- NZHERALD STAFF / NZPA