Lena Harrap's family read their tribute statement, outside the Auckland High Court. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
"Our little warrior" - those were a mother's words in court before the man who brutally killed her daughter was sentenced to life in jail.
Lena Harrap Photo: Facebook / StarJam
Lena Zhang Harrap was murdered in September 2021, while out on her daily walk in Mount Albert.
Shamal Sharma, 33, was today sentenced to a minimum of 19 years and six months in jail after pleading guilty to murder and sexual violation.
It is a crime police have labelled as despicable. The 27-year-old victim, who had Down Syndrome, was subjected to a two-hour sexual attack.
Harrap's family and friends gave their victim impact statements in court today, telling her murderer, Shamal Sharma, just what she meant to them and how his callous actions have affected them.
"I am battle weary, but I put my faith and hope in God, knowing he cares. He helps me endure, he understands my pain and anguish," Lena's mother, Su.
"Lena suffered the last moments of her life as your victim, and for the rest of my life your victim mark will remain on me."
She said despite everything, she was able to find forgiveness for Sharma's actions.
Harrap's father, Martin, spoke of how much Lena meant to the community, saying she will be remembered with "boundless love."
Her sisters, brother-in-law, cousin, and aunt all said that her murder had left behind a void that could never be filled.
In a statement earlier today, Harrap's family thanked the community and the police.
They described Harrap as their little warrior, a strong, independent woman with a wicked sense of humour who should have been safe in her community.
They said she embraced her Down Syndrome and challenged societal norms around disability.
Her family said she was robbed of her future and no justice could replace the lost love or the life that was gone.
Injuries bordered on sadism - Crown
Crown prosecutor Matthew Nathan said Harrap's disability made her particularly vulnerable to Sharma's attack.
Her physical impairments, the combination with her diagnosis of Down Syndrome, and the associated impairments that came with that, placed her in a degree of vulnerability that was not seen in a number of comparable cases presented to the court.
Nathan said the injuries Sharma inflicted bordered on sadism.
Sharma was homeless at the time of the killing, and suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, as well as having a history of substance abuse.
The day before he killed Harrap, he stalked a jogger, following her in his car, and nearly running her over.
It was a "rehearsal" the prosecutor said, for what he would go on to do the next day.
Justice Edwin Wylie described the attacks on Harrap while referring to a previous case.
"Both the victim in that case, and Ms Harrap, were vulnerable, and the offending in both cases was cruel, callous, depraved and brutal," he said.
Justice Wylie also said he was unconvinced of Sharma's remorse.
Sharma's defence lawyer, Jonathan Hudson, said he agreed with the descriptions of the severity of the crime, but argued that the defendant had expressed his regret and remorse to Harrap's family.
Hudson said the crime was opportunistic, rather than calculated.
Sharma sat in the dock and did not show any emotion as his sentence was handed down.
Shamal Sharma in the dock during his sentencing. Photo: Marika Khabazi / RNZ
Speaking outside court, Su Harrap thanked those who supported them throughout their ordeal, and the family sang a waiata together.
They sang as one, heartbroken family getting justice for their daughter, sister and friend they called "Beans".
The detective in charge of the investigation into Harrap's death said her family have been through an horrific ordeal.
Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff Baber said Harrap was vulnerable - although she did not see herself in that light.
He said she was an independent woman who enjoyed her regular walk around Ōwairaka.