Teen who killed 90yo in her home to be freed from jail
Family of woman attacked feel let down by system
A teenage girl who was convicted of the manslaughter of a 90-year-old woman in her own home will be released from a juvenile prison next month.
The girl and two friends punched and kicked Grace Virtue after tricking her to let them into her Levin home under the pretence they needed to use the bathroom.
They then stole her wallet and bought cigarettes, lollipops and a hoodie with Virtue’s money while she lay unconscious on the floor of her kitchen.
She died 25 days later in hospital from injuries sustained during the November 2019 attack.
All three girls, aged 14 and 15, have name suppression because of their age.
Two of them received 12 months’ home detention and the girl who has just been granted parole received 2½ years in a juvenile prison facility.
Grace Virtue’s son, Mike, told Open Justice the family felt let down.
“Our mother’s life wasn’t worth very much in the eyes of the justice system,” he said.
“Don’t get me wrong — I didn’t want them hung, drawn and quartered. But for the amount of time they got, they’re not going to come out any better are they?”
The girl who is set to be released next month was denied parole in December last year because the board assessed her as needing more time to rehabilitate.
The board noted that drugs, alcohol and violence had been hallmarks of her young life and she had not yet had time to address those issues fully while in prison.
The three teenagers initially stood
I didn’t want them hung, drawn and quartered. But for the amount of time they got, they’re not going to come out any better are they? Mike Virtue, assaulted woman’s son
trial for murder, but each pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges at earlier hearings.
According to the summary of facts, the three girls targeted Virtue because she lived alone.
“Oi, u gotta come with us we’ve got everything we need we are ready we got a house keep your hoody on,” two of the girls messaged the third on social media.
Two of them walked through a side gate and knocked on the door and asked Virtue if they could use the toilet, while the third stayed outside the property. The plan was to steal $30 so they could attend a party.
Although Virtue was initially reluctant to let them inside, she showed one to the bathroom and entered into a conversation with another in the kitchen.
On returning from the bathroom one of the girls punched Virtue in the face with a closed fist.
She lost consciousness when she hit the floor, and was then kicked in the chest.
The girls then left with her handbag, her camera and a bank card. With PayWave they purchased Chupa Chups, softdrinks, a sweatshirt and cigarettes.
The victim’s son told the court during the sentencing that the family were left feeling “empty and numb”. Future moments with family and friends had been stolen and the family were still struggling with the senselessness of it all.
“Her kindness cost her her life. She never wanted the limelight and would have hated every moment of being the latest news,” he said.
“There are no winners. We are all losers and the biggest loser is mum. It all seems so pathetic.”