Murderer Sentenced

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - 5:00pm

Counties Manukau

A 48 year old female from South Auckland was sentenced today at the Auckland High Court to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 15 years for the murder of Peter Lance Dixon. She was also sentenced on nine other associated charges including arsons (4), attempted arson (1) and theft (4).

The ten charges stemmed from a Police investigation which began in February 2012 as the result of a house fire. On the arrival of emergency services the deceased was located dead in his bedroom that was extensively damaged by fire.

A detailed and lengthy Police investigation supported by experts from the New Zealand Fire Service, Serious Fraud Office, ESR and an independent Forensic Fire Investigator culminated in the prosecution of the offender who was arrested by Police in August 2013.

Inspector Zane Hooper of Counties Manukau Police says he was pleased with the guilty plea to the ten charges including murder a month before the trial was set to commence in August.

“The guilty plea meant the victim’s family did not have to go through the process of the court trial. The conviction and sentence handed down today by the court will hopefully provide at least some closure for the victim's family.

“This is a very difficult time for the family who have lost a father, grandfather and brother in brutal circumstances. The death of Peter has been devastating to the family,” says Inspector Hooper.

A family spokesperson has requested that their privacy is respected by the media at this difficult time while they deal with the ongoing effects of the crime and their terrible loss.

Victim Support and Police are providing ongoing support to the family.

ENDS

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