The sons of a woman killed in an arson attack have told a court they will never forgive her teenage killer.
Tonia Bennet, 18, snuck into Lynette Chapman’s Pukekohe home in January 2009 and lit a fire under a stairwell.
Ms Chapman, a 49-year-old mother of three, was trapped upstairs as flames engulfed the house.
Bennett was angry after her relationship with one of Ms Chapman’s sons ended. Today she was sentenced to the mandatory life imprisonment but Justice Geoffrey Venning imposed a non-parole period of at least 11 years and six months for Ms Chapman’s murder.
"Your offending on the night was stupid and had a tragic result but was committed in the context of your very troubled personal circumstances," he told Bennett.
Spekaing outside court, Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Glossop said the sons of Ms Chapman have been left devastated by her death.
“They see today as an end to the saga and want to move on with their lives,” he said.
“That’s all they want to say and would like to be left alone now to deal with their grief.”
Brad Chapman, the 19-year-old who had dated Bennett, said in his victim impact statement his mum was attacked without warning or explanation.
Another teenager, a 19-year-old male, was jailed for two years after admitting one charge of manslaughter and two of arson. He was told he could apply for home detention if a suitable house could be found. His name suppression continued today.
Bennett also admitted two counts of arson and was jailed for six years on each charge, to be served concurrently.
3 News / Radio LIVE