'SHE DIED TERRIFIED WITH YOU'
Grace Millane’s mum confronts ‘callous and depraved’ murderer in court as he’s jailed for 17 years
GRACE Millane's devastated mum has told her killer he has "robbed" their family of "so many memories we were going to create" - as he was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in jail today.
Gillian Millane's daughter Grace died on a Tinder date in Auckland, New Zealand when she was strangled during sex.
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The 28-year-old murderer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed for life today with a non-parole period of 17 years.
Justice Simon Moore told the killer: "You were a stranger, she trusted you. You are a large and powerful man, she was diminutive.
"You were in a position of total physical dominance."
Grace's devastated mum, Gillian, told the killer her daughter "died terrified and alone in your room".
And she revealed how she still regularly sprays Grace's perfume and attends weekly counselling sessions.
Mrs Millane, appearing in court via video link from the family home, read an emotional victim impact statement, saying Grace was "my friend, my very best friend".
She added: "I am absolutely heartbroken that you have taken my daughter's future and robbed us of so many memories that we were going to create.
"The tears I shed are never-ending at the thought of never having the chance to kiss my Grace goodbye.
"I will miss my darling Grace until my last breath."
Her daughter's murderer held his head in his hands as he listened to the impact his "barbaric actions" have had on Grace's family.
Grace's brother, Declan Millane, and sister-in-law, also appeared via video link from the family home, with a picture of Grace visible in the background.
Fighting through tears, Mr Millane said: "This person did not just take Grace's life, he took away a piece of my life as well. I have not felt whole since my sister's death."
In court it was revealed how Grace's killer was a serial fantasist who had previously told would-be sexual partners he had cancer, his parents were dead and his cousin was a New Zealand rugby player to try and seduce them.
In reality, he was just a failed salesman who was sacked shortly before he murdered Grace.
A former friend said: "He was creepy towards girl...his life revolved around girls and talking to girls."
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Earlier today, Grace's cousin Hannah O'Callaghan said the sentencing of her killer may not help the family to overcome their grief.
She told BBC Breakfast: "The sentence will not change the fact that Grace is gone."
She remembered her cousin as a "fun-loving carefree individual" with much to look forward to.
Grace was six weeks into a backpacking "trip of a lifetime" after recently graduating from the University of Lincoln.
Grace Millane's emotional statement in full
I am absolutely heartbroken that you have taken my daughter's future and robbed me of so many more memories that we were going to create.
I look at our last family photograph together. [Sobs] Every minute of every day.
Last February I went into a very dark place. I wanted to take my own life. The physical and emotional pain was just too much. But how can I add more pain to my already suffering family.
How am I meant to get up and get on with my days knowing it's just another day I won't speak to her.
Your barbaric actions towards my Grace is beyond comprehension.
No life sentence you will receive today will match the life sentence without my Grace.
But I will do my upmost to ensure that no other family needs to go through what we went through.
I want you to know, I don't forgive you because if I did that means I care about you and I simply don't.
Her tragic life was court short by your willful cruel actions. You took it upon yourself to murder my beautiful grace, an innocent young lady.
On a daily basis I torment myself over what you did to my Grace. The terror and pain she must have experienced at your hands.
As a mother I would have done anything to trade places with her. I sit full of guilt knowing I couldn't be there. She died terrified and alone in a room with you.
You have ripped a hole in my heart one that will never be repaired. You walked into our lives and destroyed Grace in the pursuit of your own sexual gratification.
[Sobs] Now my family will never be the same. So many other innocent people including your own family have had their worlds destroyed.
I will miss my darling Grace until my last breath in my body leaves me. The laughter, the conversations, the memories, you will never be forgotten my darling. You will always be my sunshine. Thank you.
Grace, from Wickford in Essex, went on a date with a 27-year-old man on December 1 2018 while in New Zealand, and was killed either that night or in the early hours of the next morning, the date of her 22nd birthday.
Her body was later found buried in a shallow grave in a forested area outside Auckland.
The 27-year-old man, who can not be named for legal reasons, was found guilty at Auckland High Court in November.
Prosecutors said he strangled her and shoved her body inside a suitcase before burying her.
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She was assumed missing and her dad, David Millane, flew to New Zealand as local authorities spent a week searching until her body was found by police.
The family have now set up a charity in her memory, called Love Grace, where handbags and toiletries are collected for domestic abuse victims.
The project is now running in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Britain.
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Brit Grace Millane seen hugging Tinder date murderer who would strangle her hours later in chilling CCTV
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