Angela Blackmoore murder: Pair sentenced to life imprisonment for killing young Christchurch mother
Rebecca Wright-Meldrum and David Hawken have been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 10 years, for murdering Angela Blackmoore (inset) in Christchurch in 1995. Photo / George Heard
“You are sheer evil and, if anyone deserves the death sentence, it would be you.”
That was the message Angela Blackmoore’s grieving partner had for two people who were today jailed for her murder 28 years ago.
Laurie Anderson was one of five people who gave moving victim impact statements about Blackmoore who they say had an “amazing future” ahead of her before her life was brutally taken while her 2-year-old son slept nearby. She was pregnant at the time with her second child.
Former debt collector David Hawken and ex-stripper Rebecca Wright-Meldrum, who were found guilty of Blackmoore’s 1995 murder last year, were today sentenced to life imprisonment. They will both serve at least 10 years before they can be considered for release.
A third person, Jeremy Powell, also admitted murdering Blackmoore. He alleged he carried out the killing for Hawken, 50, to help free up a property deal, after being offered $10,000. He said Wright-Meldrum, 51, who was his partner at the time, accompanied him to Blackmoore’s home and she used her friendship with Blackmoore to gain entry.
Blackmoore, 21, was about nine weeks pregnant when she was murdered, and her 2-year-old son was asleep in the house. Her partner, Laurie Anderson, was at work and their flatmate was out of town.
She was struck with a bat and stabbed with a knife, suffering 39 stab wounds to her head, neck, chest, abdomen and limbs.
Despite a “massive police investigation” dubbed Operation Vancouver, no one was arrested for 25 years.
In the High Court at Christchurch today, Justice Rachel Dunningham
acknowledged Blackmoore’s partner for his commitment to attending every step of the court process and said her loved ones had honoured her memory through their victim impact statements which were read out in court.
Blackmoore’s loved ones shared fond memories of the young mother who had an unforgettable giggle and excitement behind her eyes.
Jill Pervis, Blackmoore’s cousin, asked the defendants what made them think they had the right to take part in such a brutal murder.
“Did Angie’s cries not mean anything to you?”
She said her cousin’s life was worth more than any amount of money and the pair had not only killed Blackmoore but denied a baby the right to live.
Another cousin, Leanne Keen, said she had been waiting since she was 13 to see the people responsible brought to justice.
She was disgusted with the pair’s lack of remorse and their attitudes while they sat in the dock during their trial, shaking their heads as evidence against them was presented.
“Rot in hell, the pair of you.”
Blackmoore’s niece Stacey said Blackmoore was a beautiful woman who had an unforgettable giggle.
She said Blackmoore had found true love and had an amazing future ahead but it was taken away by Hawken and Wright-Meldrum, who knew she was pregnant when she was killed.
“Both of you are evil scumbags.
“You’ve destroyed so many lives and you just don’t care.”
Anderson said he had found his “dream woman”, who loved him just as much as he loved her.
He would rub her tummy at night knowing they were making a beautiful baby together and had many plans for the future, but these were ripped away from them.
“You are sheer evil and, if anyone deserves the death sentence, it would be you.”
He said the glow in Blackmoore’s eyes and excitement for the future was “intoxicating” and she had started a new life.
He still felt guilty about being at work the night she was murdered because he was not there to protect her when she needed him.
Justice Dunningham said the main issue for the sentencing was to consider whether a minimum period of imprisonment of 10 years was justified.
She said the motive was particularly repugnant because it was financially driven and worsened by the fact that the killers’ victim was pregnant.
Crown prosecutor Pip Currie said the pair had shown no remorse and had carried on living their lives after the murder. A sentence of life imprisonment would be justified for both.
Hawken’s lawyer, Anne Stevens, KC, asked the judge to consider her client’s age at the time of the killing, saying people in their early 20s were less likely to consider the impact of their offending.
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