Two caregivers found guilty of killing an intellectually disabled woman in South Auckland have been jailed for at least 11 years.
Here Teinakirai and Joseph Proude beat Patricia Joseph and left her lying injured on the bathroom floor, where she died some days later in January 2008.
The pair then dumped the 39-year-old's body in the Wairoa River.
Teinakirai, 53, and Proude, aged 47, were found guilty of her manslaughter and a raft of assault charges in March this year and appeared in the Auckland High Court on Tuesday for sentencing.
Justice Andrews said Miss Joseph was particularly vulnerable and trusted Teinakirai and Proude to care for her.
The judge jailed Teinakirai for 11 years and nine months, and Proude for 11 years and three months.
The lawyer for the Crown, Christine Gordon, told the judge the pair still deny responsibility for the death and lack any remorse, despite the guilty verdict.
Outside court, the officer in charge of the case, Detective Inspector Mark Gutry, said the community must support vulnerable members of society and anyone who witnesses abuse should tell police.
Debbie Joseph says the outcome is better than she expected but it does not bring her sister back and it has been difficult hearing that her killers are unremorseful.
