escalating violence in our community Become a member of the Sensible Sentencing Trust

Mouseover links or blue arrows below for full page descriptions

Victim's Stories Murder Victims Stories From Aaliyah Morrissey's parents Brad and Hoana From Daniel Fleming's mother Sylvia From Brian Brown, father of Natasha Brown From Kristine Johnston mother of Shannon From Danny Alkema son of Kate Alkema From John and Val Hargreaves parents of Jennie Hargreaves From Bevan and Dawn Smith parents of Kylie Ann Smith Rita Croskery mother of Michael Choy Ann McKenzie From Tai Hobson, husband of Mary Hobson From Doug Blakie, father of Lisa Blakie From Ida Hawkins, mother of Colleen Burrows In Our Courts Drink Drive Victims Stories Assault and Sexual assault

From Ann McKenzie, widow of Murder Victim Noel McKenzie

Where do I begin.....
It was 5 am on a Thursday morning, the rain was falling softly and my husband Noel and I were tucked up in bed, safely we thought, after all is there anywhere safer than in your bed in your home?

I was awoken by a noise; upon listening as we all do I thought it was just a house noise. I lay back down snuggling into my husband Noel when I noticed a figure in the hallway. I sat up quickly, the fear I felt you could never imagine, I shook my husband, "Noel - Noel there is someone in the house." I turned the side light on hoping it would make him leave, he did not.. He came into our bedroom with two knives and before my very eyes stabbed Noel repeatedly fourteen times.

I threw myself on the floor and waited, any minute now this stranger will come around the bed and do the same to me, I lay on the floor terrified, traumatized, waiting, it all went quiet, I slowly raised, trembling with fear, there on the floor lay my lover, my best friend, my life partner asking me to please help him as the life blood slowly drained out of him. My husband had no chance to defend himself. Could you, half asleep.

I felt fear that I did not know existed, unless you have been in this situation you could NEVER understand.

I am forced to sell the house, as I can no longer pay the mortgage, I am unable to get employment as I have arthritis of the spine, the income earner in my home was taken from me.

Three prisoners who were beaten by guards, only beaten, got $90,000 each from the Government, to me if they hadn't done something wrong they would not have been in that situation, but our system rewards them, my husband was worth way more than $90,000. In my mind, irreplaceable.

I am crying now, because where can I turn, who is going to help me, what am I to do? Who is the victim, him or me?

He gets three square meals a day, a roof over his head and all psychologist bills paid for, while I have to pay my own!!

You see, I was not physically harmed, it does not seem to matter to anyone that mentally I'll suffer all my life, the scarring is deep, as my life died when my Noel died. If it wasn't for my families love and support I would be dead myself, if only to stop the added pressure and pain. Left with my memories I will always remember the love, warmth and humour of my husband but will never feel his touch, never see his sparkling eyes and never laugh at his jokes again.

Mr Goff, could you or your government please tell me. Victim or perpetrator.....? Which one am I......? Lost and hurting.

Mrs McKenzie Widow of Noel

Tauranga.

abridged