Teenage girls bought lollipops after beating of 90-year-old woman

• Published date: 19 March 2021
• Date: 19 March 2021
• Publication title: Horowhenua Chronicle

Grace Isobel Virtue died 25 days after the home invasion at her Bath St property on November 2, 2019, as a result of a brain injury she suffered after being punched in the face in her own kitchen.

After the attack two of the girls used her bank card to buy Chupa Chups lollipops, softdrinks, a sweatshirt and cigarettes.

Justice Helen Cull handed down sentences relative to the different roles each of the girls — A, B and C — had in the attack. Two of the girls were aged 15 and the other was 14 at the time.

“A” was sentenced to two years and six months at a juvenile prison facility, while B and C were sentenced to 12 months’ home detention. Crown lawyer Ben Vanderkolk had asked the court for terms of imprisonment.

The three girls initially stood trial for murder, but each pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges at earlier hearings.

Name suppression and anything that would identify the girls would continue.

The court heard how A and B had identified Mrs Virtue as a target because she lived alone, and used social media to contact C.

“Oi, u gotta come with us we’ve got everything we need we are ready we got a house keep your hoody on,” the message read.

Two of the girls walked through a side gate and knocked on the door and asked Mrs Virtue if they could use the toilet, while C stayed outside the property. The plan was to steal $30 so they could attend a party.

Although Mrs Virtue was initially reluctant to let them inside, she showed A the bathroom and entered into a conversation with B in the kitchen.

On returning from the bathroom A punched Mrs Virtue in the face with a closed fist. She lost consciousness when she hit the floor, and was then kicked in the chest.

A and B left with her handbag, her camera and a bank card. With PayWave they puchased Chupa Chups lollipops, softdrinks, a sweatshirt and cigarettes, with C sharing in the spoils.

Detective Stephen Yates from Levin CIB read out victim impact statements from four members of Mrs Virtue’s family.

Her son Michael Virtue said they were left feeling “empty and numb”. Future moments in time with family and friends had been stolen and the family...