A man who killed a Christchurch woman while in the middle of a psychotic episode has been sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Kaine Van Hemert, 43, was sentenced to a minimum of six years and eight months at the High Court in Christchurch on Friday.
Van Hemert picked up Bella Te Pania from Christchurch's red-light district in the early hours of December 31, 2019.
The 34-year-old mother was found critically injured in Van Hemert's car on Orchard Rd at 6:50am and died a short time later.
Te Pania was stabbed several times in her face, chest, left thigh and abdomen, with deep cuts to her throat.
She also had severe injuries to her head, which are thought to be caused by a rock found in Van Hemert's vehicle.
Van Hemert was due to be admitted to a mental health facility on the same day that Te Pania was killed.
Detective Senior Sergeant Nicola Reeves, who led the investigation, called it a "callous and senseless" murder.
"Bella was very much loved. She was a daughter, a sister, a partner, a friend, and a mother to a little girl.
"Our thoughts are with Bella's whānau and friends today as they come to terms with the decision."
Te Pania's friends described her as loyal and loving, always putting the needs of others before herself.
"She, like all of us, deserved the opportunity to live a full, happy life."
Reeves said sex work was legitimate work done by real people who have the same rights as the rest of society.
"Sex workers, like all New Zealanders, should be able to go to work and be safe from violence and harm."
Reeves thanked the investigative team who "worked tirelessly" over the last year to ensure her killer was brought to justice.
"There is sometimes a perception in the community that sex workers won't be missed, that they don't deserve the same protections, or that Police will not put the same effort into solving crimes committed against them.
"That perception couldn't be further from the truth."
