A Far North teenager has been given a life sentence for the murder of a 70-year-old Kaitaia woman.
Barbara Julian, a semi-retired school teacher, was found dead in her suburban unit by friends in November last year.
She had suffered extensive injuries and some of her clothing had been removed.
Jameel Job, 18, admitted the killing.
His lawyer told the court on Friday that Job had had mental issues but had developed an insight into his actions and apologised to Ms Julian's family.
The judge said Job had been high on alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis at the time of the murder and sentenced him to a minimum non-parole period of 15 years.
