Louise Strickland delivered a heart-wrenching victim impact statement in the High Court at Napier as two men associated with the Mongrel Mob were sentenced for the fatal attack on her son, Darcy.
The 29-year-old schoolteacher and aspiring rugby player was brutally beaten to death on October 13 2022, near where he grew up in Flaxmere, Hastings.
Alizaye Kireka Windzar Todd, 21, was jailed for life after pleading guilty to Strickland’s murder and injuring a female relative during the same incident. He must serve at least 12 years before be considered for parole.
The second attacker, Keontay Wayne Chadwick, 24, who joined in when Strickland was already unable to defend himself, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for three years and 11 months.
Evidence was provided at sentencing of both men having ‘troubled’ backgrounds and prior convictions for violence.
Outside court Strickland’s family said they were relieved the court proceedings had come to an end.
Statement of Detective Sergeant Kate Hyde
On behalf of Hawke’s Bay Police, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the members of our community who provided information which has helped us hold the killers of Darcy Strickland to account.
We know there were people who were reluctant to speak to Police due to the gang connections of the two men responsible for Darcy’s death, so I commend those who did come forward for doing the right thing by Darcy and his whānau.
Darcy was a much-loved son, brother, nephew and friend, and his loss continues to be felt deeply by all who knew him.
I hope that today’s outcome brings some measure of peace for Darcy’s whānau and loved ones, knowing that those responsible have been held to account.
Society cannot cater for ‘troubled’ backgrounds.
Society is bleeding empty to cater for what’s been done wrong during decades of soft-sock attitude when it comes to criminal justice. ‘Troubled’ can never be put right.
Yes, atonement is possible, but not on the shoulders of society or victims.
Jailed for three years and 11 months for killing a victim already down and out?
That is just SCUM!
And I do not care what the ‘troubled background’ is. Lock up the rat-sh*t parents too!
Rehabilitating justice?
Public caneings and family outings as a chain-gang!
And what’s with these truly weird names?
The names already are an indicator of highly a-social attitude of the parents.
Yeah, cute and very ‘sssschpecial’.
Hope that judges child gets his head caved in one day 3 years. Probably only serve a year and a half