Killer Joseph Brider jailed for two decades for murder of Colombian woman

The man convicted of murdering Colombian woman Juliana Bonilla Herrera has been sentenced to life in prison.

Joseph Brider broke into the 37-year-old's Addington flat in Christchurch and killed her last January.

An app on her phone started recording for 10 minutes and revealed what happened.

"The audio recording is graphic," Crown Solicitor Claire Boshier said in court on Wednesday.

"She begs for her life." 

Brider was released on parole from prison just 10 weeks before the killing. He was jailed for rape in 2014.

Bonilla and other neighbours didn't know this.

A review into Correction's notification policy is due to be completed in March.

Juliana's family watched today's sentencing via video link from Colombia.

"This year has been the toughest year of my life," Juliana's sister told the court through a lawyer.

"There are no words to describe my loss. One is never prepared to ever see a loved one again."

Herrera's friend who found her body on the day of the murder also read a victim impact statement.

"The scene I saw is still vivid and still haunts me," the man, whose name is suppressed, told the court.

"I used to smile and trust everyone. I don't do that anymore."

Brider was served with a minimum nonparole period of 23 years.