Woman jailed for eight years for steak knife murder

File photo / NZ Herald

A Napier woman who fatally stabbed her partner in the chest with a steak knife has been jailed for eight years.

Jacqueline Elaine Wihongi, 38, was found guilty in June of killing her partner of 17 years, Vivian Hirini, in suburban Tamatea on June 5 last year.

During sentencing at the High Court in Napier yesterday, Justice John Wild said it would be manifestly unjust to sentence Wihongi to life imprisonment due to her "history of victimhood".

She is believed to be the second person to receive less than a life sentence for murder, the Dominion Post reported.

Under the Sentencing Act 2002, finite penalties were made available for murder if a life sentence would be "manifestly unjust".

Defence lawyer Russell Fairbrother said the murder was the result of a violent relationship, showing the court more than 500 pages of police reports on domestic incidents between the couple.

Crown lawyer Steve Manning said Wihongi had a long history of violence toward her partner and did not suffer from "battered woman syndrome".

Justice Wild said Wihongi regretted killing Mr Hirini and her "alcohol abuse disorder" was treatable.

"I consider you as a person both deserving of help and who can be helped," he said.

- NZPA