Val Heaney’s murderer Elliot Ajay Prakash sentenced in the High Court by Justice Cameron Mande.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The man who bludgeoned a Christchurch woman to death with a hockey stick has been sentenced to life in prison.
Val Heaney, 64, was murdered in her Bromley home on 4 April 2022 when isolating with Covid-19.
Her boarder Elliot Ajay Prakash later pleaded guilty.
Justice Cameron Mander sentenced Prakash to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 13 years in the Christchurch High Court.
Detective inspector Nicola Reeves said Prakash had committed “a horrific and cowardly attack”.
“I want to thank the investigation team, who worked tirelessly to hold this offender to account and bring this case to resolution as quickly as possible,” she said.
“I also want to acknowledge Val’s family who have showed incredible strength in these tragic circumstances.
“Val dedicated her life to the care of her daughter, Natasha and to improving the quality of life for those with intellectual disabilities. Her loss is one that will be felt across the wider community.”
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