Mali Bennett-Smith, a New Zealand-born teenager, was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years and five months for the murder of his older sister, Luka. The incident occurred during a headlock practice at their Bristol home, escalating into fatal violence. Bennett-Smith expressed longstanding resentment towards his sister, leading to this tragic outcome.
A New Zealand-born teenager has been sentenced for the murder of his older sister in the United Kingdom. Mali Bennett-Smith, aged 17, admitted to fatally stabbing his 19-year-old sister, Luka, after expressing his long-standing frustration towards her. The Bristol Crown Court sentenced him to a minimum of 10 years and five months for this heinous act.
The incident occurred on October 20, 2024, when Luka permitted Mali to practice a headlock on her at their home. However, Mali ignored their prior agreement to stop when she tapped him and instead proceeded to stab her multiple times. At the time, the siblings were alone in their residence in Bristol.
Following the stabbing, Mali contacted emergency services approximately 20 minutes later, confessing, “I stabbed my sister to death.” He further revealed to the authorities, “I hated her my whole life and I don’t know, I just didn’t want to ever see her again.” He was arrested at the scene and charged two days later.
Bennett-Smith had relocated to the UK from New Zealand with his mother and sister following his parents’ divorce. He characterized his sister as “annoying” due to her struggles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and stated she had bullied him. He recounted that although they had an understanding to end the headlock through a tap, he had decided to disregard this and act violently, having reached a breaking point with her behavior.
His defense lawyer, Ray Tully KC, indicated that Bennett-Smith’s excessive gaming might have contributed to his disconnect from reality, as he struggled to cope with his escalating feelings of frustration toward his sister. Judge William Hart remarked on the devastating impact of the tragedy, declaring it a parent’s worst nightmare when a child loses their life due to another child’s actions.
In conclusion, Mali Bennett-Smith’s sentencing follows his admission of guilt in the brutal killing of his sister, Luka. Despite the circumstances of their sibling relationship, the court underscored the tragic outcome of this violent act and the profound effect it has had on their family. The case serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked emotions and the importance of seeking help in resolving familial conflicts.
Original Source: www.1news.co.nz
