Derek Round's killer jailed for life

Michael Umanui Werahiko, 32, was sentenced in the High Court at Wanganui, New Zealand. He will serve at least 15 years without parole.

Round, 77, pictured, was murdered at his home in Wanganui on 17 May 2012 only hours after Werahiko was released from prison. He had suffered multiple skull fractures in the beating.

Werahiko, who had been befriended by Round after they met at a gym, pleaded guilty.

In a statement, Round’s family said: “No admission of guilt, or conviction, can make up for the void left by the murder of our father. The memory of the violence inflicted on him is more than we can bear. The only solace for us is that the police and their untiring work were able to give us and our father some justice.”

Round was with Reuters in Singapore from 1965-1966, manager for Singapore and Malaysia 1967-1968, and chief representative Hong Kong in 1968. ■