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escalating violence in our community
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Rape and murder of 75 year old Invercargill pensioner Florence Curtis Bennett in November 1996
Florence Curtis Bennett
.
none known
Born 1969
Prison
Sentenced to a minimum 14 years non-parole in July 1997
Parole refused December 2010
Due for next hearing November 2012
Background
Parole Board decision documented here
From Brian Harmer's WYSIWYG News July 1997
"There were emotional scenes today during the sentencing of convicted rapist and murderer Justin Garthwaite. The 28 year old Invercargill man admitted raping and murdering his next door neighbour, 75 year old pensioner Florence Curtis Bennett, last November. He's been sentenced by Justice Chisholm to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of fourteen years. The victim's family hurled abuse at Garthwaite who stood without emotion in the dock as the sentence was read out."