Partner continues to maintain innocence after conviction

A man jailed for life for killing his girlfriend in a New Plymouth house fire has insisted he is innocent, claiming he is still “grieving the loss of a beloved partner”.

Supermarket worker Emma Field, 21, was alive but likely unconscious when she burned alive in the 2022 fire.

A jury found Leigh Matthew Beer, 33, guilty of murder, arson and assault with intent to injure after a three-week trial in June.

The assault charge related to an altercation with a passerby who was trying to put out the fire.

Beer appeared in the High Court in New Plymouth on Wednesday for sentencing.

Through his lawyer, Julian Hannam, Beer maintained that he did not kill Emma Field.

“I am aware that the comments I am about to make will upset many of those in the room,” Hannam warned, “but they are nonetheless the instructions that I have and they are consistent with the defence that has been put forward in this court.

“It is clear that the defendant does not agree with the verdicts handed down by the jury. He continues to maintain that he is innocent of all three charges, so it is logical that he shows no remorse for the charges he received in court.

“What he does claim is that he is grieving the loss of his beloved partner.”

Prosecutor Cherie Clarke said Beer’s offence was “a cold, heartless, depraved murder” and asked for a minimum prison sentence of 19 years, which Hannam did not contest.

Earlier, the court had heard victim impact statements from Emma Field’s parents.

Her mother Kylie tried to hold back her tears and said that writing about how her child was taken from her is something no parent should have to do.

“My little girl was taken away from her far too early by someone she loved and trusted. There are so many questions I have that will never be answered. The biggest one is why, why, why?”

She never saw her daughter and her “best friend” again after they had lunch together on the day Emma died.

“If I had known this would be our last goodbye, I would have held her tighter and longer and made that last kiss and goodbye last as long as possible.”

Kylie Field felt like she had let Emma down.

“It hurts like hell. I’m her mother and I should have been there to protect her.

“We took Leigh home not knowing what he had done to Emma. We fed and clothed Leigh and his son out of our own pocket. Never asked for anything, thinking he was trying to save Emma. I feel like an idiot for falling for his lies.”

She said it was painful to attend the trial and watch as Beer showed no emotion as he was told how Emma, ​​”someone he supposedly loved and cared about,” died.

“I hate him. He deserves to rot in hell and never get out of prison to hurt anyone else.”

Emma’s father Erin’s victim impact statement was read out by a member of court staff.

Erin Field, who had supported Beer during his initial police interrogation, called him a “coward” and a “liar” who had hidden behind the justice system rather than admit what he had done.

“You betrayed our trust, and then you had the audacity to come into my house and play the victim, carrying Emma’s picture around like you cared, with your crocodile tears… I feel like an idiot, but remember my words. I will never make that mistake again.”

Judge Karen Grau recognised the whānau of Emma Field and her friends.

“It is clear that Emma was a beloved and loving family member, a joyful young soul who brightened the lives of everyone around her. It is heartbreaking to hear the pain, anger and sadness you have felt.”

Judge Grau praised the Fields for the “honesty and dignity” with which they conducted themselves during the trial, even going so far as to comfort Beer’s mother after the verdicts were announced.

According to the sentencing, the fire that killed Emma Field was started by someone who held an open flame above the bed and bedding in the master bedroom until the fire became self-sustaining.

Emma’s body was found beneath the master bedroom window, partially under the overturned bed and mattress.

Judge Grau said she was alive when the fire started, but died as a result.

“The smoke found in her airways proved she was still alive, but fortunately she was unconscious when the fire reached her.”

She said Beer could have saved Field in the early stages of the fire, but chose not to.

“In the first minute and a half or two, two minutes from the start of the fire, there would have been an opportunity for Emma to get out, or for someone to get her out, but she was helpless. Mr. Bear, you could have saved her, but you let her die.”

Judge Grau did not believe Emma Field’s murder was premeditated, but he reiterated that Beer had previously committed violent crimes where something had provoked him “but this time under tragic circumstances” and that her death involved “an element of determination”.

She said Fields’ vulnerability and Beers’ callous behavior after her death were also aggravating factors.

Judge Grau sentenced Beer to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 17 years (without the possibility of parole).

rnz.co.nz