Pensioner killer Angelika Gavare jailed for 32 years

A JUDGE has condemned Angelika Gavare for refusing to reveal how she disposed of the head and hands of the pensioner she has been jailed for killing.

A JUDGE has condemned Angelika Gavare for refusing to reveal how she disposed of the head and hands of the pensioner she has been jailed for killing.

The Supreme Court this morning jailed Gavare for life, with a minimum 32-year sentence, for the murder of Vonne McGlynn.

Though asked by prosecutors to jail Gavare without parole, Justice Trish Kelly said justice would best be served through the normal sentencing process.

"The circumstances in which you committed this crime - including the stalking and killing of a defenceless 82-year-old in her own home, motivated by nothing more than your own sheer greed - places your crime in the worst category," she told Gavare.

"There is no evidence of contrition or remorse, and you've not even had the decency to reveal how you disposed of the head and hands of this most unfortunate woman.

"Your actions reveal a profound disregard and disrespect for human life."

Gavare, 35, murdered Ms McGlynn in her Reynella home on or about December 3, 2008.

In sentencing today, Justice Kelly said nothing could be done - no statement made, no legal precedent quoted - to mitigate Gavare's heinous crime.

"It would be a small comfort to be able to conclude that your actions were the product of madness," she said.

"Unfortunately, this appears to be nothing more than the actions of a greedy, narcissistic and deceitful woman with no morals or empathy.

"This makes you a very dangerous woman indeed."

Gavare's counsel had asked for mercy, saying their client had two young children who needed her.

A lower non-parole period, they said, would allow her to rejoin their lives while they were still relatively young.

"It's very sad that your two children will grow up without their mother," Justice Kelly said.

"They are, in a very real way, also victims of your crime - but you alone are responsible for that consequence."

Gavare barely reacted to Judge Kelly's words.

She raised her eyebrows once when the non-parole period was announced, then walked out to the cells.

Outside court, Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras, QC, said he was pleased with the result.

"Happy isn't a good word to describe this situation... I'm satisfied," he said.

Despite having spent months prosecuting the case, Mr Pallaras admitted he still struggled with Gavare's lack of emotion.

"I personally don't understand it," he said.

"I don't pretend to be a psychologist, but it's disturbing to see someone who could be involved in such a horrendous trial, as she is, and not outwardly show some emotion.

"This is a case I find difficult to understand."

Mr Pallaras said he did not know whether Ms McGlynn's head and hands would ever be recovered, despite the "excellent" work of SA Police.