GUILTY NEW ZEALAND - Grace Millane, 22, British backpacker, Auckland, 1 Dec 2018 #3

[jamjim]

"2 minutes ago

Members of the public are crowded outside the courtroom, eager to get a seat for the sentencing of Grace Millane’s killer."

Inside the courtroom, both the Crown and defence lawyers are preparing to begin at 9am.

Grace Millane: Murderer to be sentenced for killing British backpacker

 

[jamjim]

"a minute ago

The gallery in courtroom 11 is quickly filling up with members of the public."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"a minute ago

Two police officers and a court security officer are at the door of the courtroom to monitor members of the public."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"The killer has been led into the dock, flanked by two court security guards.

He is dressed in a dark grey suit and white shirt."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Grace's sister in-law Victoria will now begin reading her victim impact statement via a video link from England."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"The video link has a photo of Grace Millane in the background on her graduation day."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Victoria says she and Grace had become the "very best of friends" since she married into the family"

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"She said finding out Grace was missing was "devastating for us all".

Victoria and the family felt feelings of shock and were numb as they were told Grace was missing in December 2018."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"I didn't cry when I found out Grace was dead, I felt so empty, I didn't have any emotion left."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Over the past three to four months, Victoria said, she has felt even more sick and heatbroken."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Victoria said she takes her 2-year-old daugther to "visit auntie Grace as often as I can".

Millane is buried in Essex, England."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"There is an empty space in his heart for his sister," Victoria said of her husband Michael, one of Grace's two brothers

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Declan Millane, Grace's brother, will now read his victim impact statement."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"He said his sister was a "beautiful soul" who had been planning her world travels since she was 11 years old."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"The first person to give a witness impact statement is Victoria Millane, the wife of Grace's oldest brother, Michael.

Victoria said from the moment she met Grace they got on well.

"Our close connection was becoming stronger. She quickly became the little sister I always wanted.

"You ripped her away from us," she told Grace's killer, who is sitting in court.

"I feel grateful, honoured and blessed to have had Grace in my life."

“When she was reported missing, I felt drained, physically and emotionally, every day.

"Grace's life had truly been snatched away from her. I felt empty, in a state of disbelief and numbness."

"I felt so empty, as if I have no emotion left in me."

“With a heavy heart, I take my daughter Harper, only two years old, to visit Aunty Grace's grave.

"We have to explain to her what you did and why Grace isn't here," she tells Grace's killer in court.

She said the trial was incredibly difficult, having to listen to what he did to her, it will haunt her forever, she said.

Grace Millane: Murderer to be sentenced for killing British backpacker

 

[jamjim]

"Our family was ripped apart ... The following weeks were the hardest."

He said the weeks after his sister's murder "were the hardest" as he wondered what had happened to Grace and how she had died.

"There was nothing I could do to help and protect my sister, I was helpless, I was lost."

"This person did not just take Grace's life, he took away a peice of my life as well.

"I have not felt whole since my sister's death," Declan said in tears.

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"It's tough to carry on life as normal with the destruction of my family," Declan said.

"There is no reason behind this unspeakable act."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Grace brought a shining light into every life she met," Declan said.

He said he would love her forever."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Grace's mum Gillian MIllane's statement will now be read."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Grace is my daughter, the youngest of my three children, my only daughter," Gillian began.

"Grace was never just a daughter, she was my friend, my very best friend."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death