Vincent Stanford has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of the schoolteacher Stephanie Scott.
Scott, 26, was killed a week before her wedding when she went into Leeton high school on Easter Day last year to prepare lessons for her class while she was on her honeymoon.
Stanford, 25, received a life sentence for her murder, as well as 15 years aggravated sexual assault.
The New South Wales supreme court in Griffith had previously heard that Stanford told police he “went a little nuts” when he murdered Scott and just felt like “he should” kill her.
There were exclamations of “yes” from the public gallery when the sentence was handed down on Thursday.
Justice Robert Allan Hulme said he was satisfied beyond any doubt that Stanford’’s culpability was extreme. “I am satisfied that this is a case of murder that clearly falls within the worst category,” he told the court.
Scott’s mother, Merrilyn, made a statement outside court after Hulme handed down the sentence.
“The past 18 months have been the most difficult and harrowing time,” she said. “So much has been taken away from us. Stephanie has had everything taken away from her.
“Stephanie embodied all that is good about humankind. She made a tangible difference to the lives of so many people. Stephanie would want us to resume our lives.
“We need to be kind to ourselves and let the music and fun back in. We need to be able to fade from public view, to mourn our beautiful girl and work our way through our grief.”
Merrilyn said the family would celebrate what would have been her daughter’s 28th birthday on Friday.
“This should be her 28th birthday – the second one we celebrate without her. We will be having a cup of tea and a Mint Slice biscuit at three.”
