Life sentence for shooting West Coast mum

The "cold-blooded" murderer who executed a pleading mother at point-blank range while seven children were hiding inside her Greymouth home, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

George Sean Warren (45) had earlier admitted to murdering 43-year-old Hayley Jane Williams on October 22 last year, and appeared for sentencing at the High Court in Greymouth today.

The court heard that Ms Williams was begging for her life as Warren pointed the .308 rifle at her.

The rifle misfired twice, before he cocked it for a third time and discharged a round into the throat and neck of the victim, who was in the driveway of her Marsden Rd home.

In sentencing Warren to life - with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years - Justice Gerald Nation described the defendant's action as "inhuman and cowardly".

Warren showed no remorse throughout the hearing and as he was lead from the dock yelled: "Sorry for your loss - thanks for coming".

In a distressing victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Williams' mother recounted how her daughter's three children still cried for their mother and had nightmares.

She now had fulltime care of the children and described what the defendant did on October 22 last year as "soul-destroying."

She said it took her three months to summon the courage to go to her daughter's home and clear it out.

"I was very proud of her. I was proud of how she nurtured her children - she was a great mum."

She said she never wanted to hear Warren's voice, or see his face again.

"I don't even what to hear what you have to say. The last vision I have of my daughter is of her in her coffin.

"I am never going to get over losing Hayley. I am so broken."

For the Crown, Claire Boshier said Warren carried out a "cold blooded" execution of a mother.

The murder was premeditated and he shot the victim at "point blank" range, knowing there were children at the home.

Warren walked into Ms Williams's address and shot her, Ms Boshier said.

"She begged for her life."

The Crown summary stated the defendant aggressively confronted the victim and demanded she get in the car he arrived in.

The victim refused and Warren became angry, responding by grabbing her hair and striking her five to nine times around the head and face.

"She attempted to protect herself from the blows and cowered and began pleading, saying she would drop the charges.

"She told him there were children inside the house and he left her body in the driveway for her children to find."

Ms Boshier said the crime was "cruel and callous".

She said it happened because Warren was angry after Ms Williams made a complaint against him to the police, alleging he had indecently assaulted her.

Warren was incensed at the charge and on several occasions made such comments as, "I feel like blowing that b*****'s head off."

After the shooting, the defendant returned to his associate's vehicle and was driven to the Old Christchurch Rd, 40km south, where Warren left the vehicle and went into the bush.

Ms Boshier said the victim's children recounted how the defendant arrived and pointed a rifle at their mother.

One of the children heard Ms Williams yelling, and ran to a neighbour's house for help. That child did not see the shooting.

Another of the victim's children was hiding in a wardrobe - as per a prearranged safety plan regarding Warren.

The defendant's lawyer, Philip Shamy, said Warren's offence was not the worst of the worst murders.

"It was a crime driven by anger following a false complaint and the failure of the police to investigate."

Mr Shamy said Warren said what the complainant said happened, did not happen.

"It was a murder created from hot blood and loss of temper and Warren is remorseful."

In sentencing Warren, Justice Nation said he would be sent to jail for life. Whether or not he would be entitled to parole - even after the non-parole period - was unlikely.

The judge told the court of Warren's extensive previous criminal history which included previous violence, aggravated robbery, family violence and firearms offences.

"You showed a high level of callousness and have shown little remorse," Justice Nation said.

He issued Warren the three strikes warning.

In a statement today, police said the small West Coast community was left "shattered and baffled" by this crime.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jacqui Corner said the investigation team worked tirelessly on this case, but there was more to be done, as two people were still before the court in relation to the matter.

 

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