I hate him, says victim's mother

The mother of murder victim Jack Davis feels nothing but hatred for Wayne Bracken, the man who killed her beloved son, but is pleased with the 21-year minimum jail term handed down to the "cold-blooded, evil" killer.

Zelma Davis sat through every day of Bracken's seven-week murder trial, missing family tangi and refusing to go to hospital when she was sick as she didn't want to miss any of the trial.

"Jack was all alone when Wayne killed him, I was going to make sure he wouldn't be alone in the court," Mrs Davis told the Northern Advocate straight after Bracken was given the longest jail term ever handed down in Northland.

She was horrified to think that she had welcomed Bracken into her home with a hug when she had first met him the day Jack brought him home.

"I think 21 years is pretty good, considering our legal system. Nothing's ever going to replace the hurt and suffering we have all felt, but it makes us feel good to know it's going to be 21 years before he can apply for parole," Mrs Davis said.

"Normally life is 10 or 12 years, so it's good to know he won't be able to put another family through this hurt for a long time."

She said the damage caused by Bracken would stay with the family forever.

"I want the world to know how much hatred I feel for Wayne Bracken for taking my precious son from me," Mrs Davis said.

"I never thought I could feel as much hatred for anybody as I do for Wayne Bracken. His family must live with the knowledge that one of their own is a cold, calculated, sadistic and evil murderer. My heart goes out to his family and I hold no ill feelings towards any of them."

Mrs Davis said she had worried several times during the trial that Bracken might get off the charges as he had taken extreme lengths to cover his tracks, and she praised the police and prosecutors for their work.

"But then the verdict came out. Guilty, those words were like music to my ears and it brought tears of joy knowing that Wayne Bracken can't do this to another family again," she said.

"But mostly it was tears for Jack, knowing that he could now rest in peace because his killer had been brought to justice."