Guy Nicholas Wilson. Pic: NZPA

Auckland, Aug 19 NZPA - The ringleader in the brutal slaying of an Auckland man was today jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years.

Guy Nicholas Wilson, 38, was found guilty last year of the murder of Jason Noe Kai Chong Boon in southeast Auckland on November 18, 2006.

Two others Paul Junior Grace, 26, and Annette Louise Elaine Heta, 30, who were convicted of manslaughter.

Wilson was also sentenced to preventive detention for a minimum period of five years for a second charge of assault with intent to rob.

The trio broke into Mr Boon's home in Botany Downs in search of drugs and property. They tied up, gagged and beat Mr Boon who died from asphyxiation due to the duct tape placed over his mouth.

Justice Helen Winkelmann said she was satisfied that Wilson was the ringleader in the attack.

Crown prosecutor Kirsten Lummis told the court that preventive detention should be imposed on Wilson.

"This was a home invasion at night, and premeditation was also significant as he took duct tape, gloves and a wig along with him," Ms Lummis said.

She added that Wilson had a "significant criminal history" with 104 previous convictions, including kidnapping, robbery and rape.

He had previously broken detention orders and attempted to escape custody in 1997.

"Much of his adult life has been spent in custody. It's clear Wilson has been a career criminal with an association with gangs.

"The sense of harm to the community and the loss of life is hugely significant. He has a high risk of future offending which is why preventive detention is appropriate along with a 17 year non-parole period," Ms Lummis said.

Shane Tait, representing Wilson, said less than 10 percent of Wilson's 104 previous convictions were of a serious or violent nature.

"He is the second youngest in a family of 18 children. He started out life being very badly brutalised and found support in the worst possible place with gangs.

"He was brought up by his eldest sister Beverley as his parents often indulged in alcohol, and that's where his pattern of offending started," Mr Tait said.

Justice Winkelmann read out a victim impact statement from Mr Boon's girlfriend Janny-Lee Broussow, who was at home when the intruders broke in.

She grabbed her three-year-old daughter and locked herself in the bathroom upstairs, from where she called police on her mobile phone.

In her statement, Ms Broussow said she heard everything happening downstairs.

"She thought she was going to die, and she's too scared to sleep at night," the judge said.

"She's suffered physical illness and ongoing problems with relationships. Her daughter has difficulty communicating and is terrified of all adults."

Justice Winkelmann said she had considered a large volume of material including reports on Wilson from two health assessors.

She said Wilson had been made a ward of court aged 12, and had been regularly offending since 1985.

"You have never had paid employment as an adult, and you have spent most of your adult life in prison," she told Wilson.

"You have two pre-school children with your estranged partner and you are keen to have some role in their lives," Justice Winkelmann told Wilson.

She added that his drug and alcohol problems had scuppered that.

In March this year, Grace was jailed for nine years and Heta was jailed for 8-1/2 years for their part in the attack.

Grace was given a minimum non-parole period of four years and Heta was given no minimum non-parole sentence.

Both had pleaded not guilty to murder at the start of their trial. They were also convicted of assault with intent to rob.

Ms Broussow's mother, who was in court today, refused to comment after the sentencing.