A High Court judge says the man who stabbed a homeless man in Auckland's Myers Park has a vicious streak behind his usually civil veneer.
Grenville Henare Fahey, 50, was found guilty in December of murdering Steven Harris, 54, in September 2013.
Justice Lang sentenced Fahey at the High Court in Auckland today to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 12 years.
Fahey has a criminal record that stretches back to his teenage years and he now has 202 convictions to his name.
Justice Lang said Fahey's history includes an attack on his 72 year-old mother, when he threatened to give her a hiding if she did not give him money.
Fahey's history, the judge said, showed he is quick to resort to violence with minimal provocation and is prepared to use weapons.
"All of those factors tell me Mr Fahey that you have a streak of viciousness underlying your usually civil veneer."
Fahey also has convictions for a random attack on a pair of tourists.
Justice Lang said Fahey had only been out of prison six weeks in September 2013 when he and his friend Steven Harris went to Myer's Park after sharing a pizza.
The pair had been arguing and once inside the park, Fahey stabbed Mr Harris at least twice, puncturing Mr Harris' heart and lungs.
Mr Harris later died in hospital.
