Life for murder of elderly couples

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 17

Life for murder of elderly couples

PA Napier The murderer of an elderly couple in their Maraenui, Napier, home was sentenced to life inprisonment after he changed his plea to guilty in the High Court in Napier yesterday. Patrick Richard Harris, aged 23, unemployed, of Napier, had earlier denied murdering Arthur Howell and Mavis Gwendoline Howell, on or about October 24, 1985. Defence council, Mr Mike Bungay, said Harris expressed extreme regret and remorse but said the court’s hands were tied and there was only one sentence available. Mr Justice Savage sentenced Harris to life imprisonment for murder. Mr Bungay said in submissions yesterday that Harris went to the house to commit a burglary. “He did not intend any harm and did not take a weapon to the house,” he said. “When he found it to be occupied he panicked,” he said. Earlier the court was told Harris inflicted 24

stab wounds to the couple before cold-bloodedly ransacking the house for money. The Crown prosecutor, Mr Geoff Rea, said Harris used two kitchen knifes to kill the couple after the first knife bent when he stabbed Mr Howell. “Both Mr and Mrs Howell were attacked with considerable violence,” Mr Rea said. “Harris clearly inflicted a massive beating on Mr Howell," he said.