Mackenzie Anderson’s mum Tabitha Acret disgusted by sentence handed down to killer Tyrone Thompson

The mother of Mackenzie Anderson, murdered by her ex-boyfriend Tyrone Thompson after years of abuse, has bravely vowed to keep fighting for all women despite being outraged by the killer’s sentence.

A grief-stricken mother facing her own life sentence following the brutal murder of her 21-year-old daughter, Mackenzie Anderson, has described the killer’s sentence as an insult to women globally but she has vowed to keep fighting.

Tyrone Thompson was handed a non-parole period of 15 years and six months’ jail for brutally murdering his ex-girlfriend in an attack which ended with at least 78 stab wounds in less than three minutes.

Now aged 25, Thompson was out on parole for domestic violence offences committed against Ms Anderson.

Tabitha Acret, who initially ran from the courtroom and collapsed as the sentence was handed down by Justice Richard Weinstein, bravely faced media outside Newcastle Supreme Court on Friday to reveal her disgust by the court’s decision to hand down a maximum term of 22 years and six months.

“While no verdict and no sentence can bring Mackenzie back, we are outraged by today’s outcome,” she said.

Tabitha Acret, mum of Mackenzie Anderson, talking to media outside Newcastle Supreme Court on Friday – her daughter was murdered by Tyrone Thompson.

Tabitha Acret and her daughter Mackenzie Anderson when she was younger.

“While this may be thought of as a good outcome by the courts, we are disgusted that this sentence is what they think is the value of my daughter’s life is worth.”

Ms Acret has called for an urgent review of the sentence which she believes doesn’t go far enough.

“[The] sentence is an insult to women globally and I call for an urgent review and appeal of this sentence,” she claimed.

“Justice is not being served.

Mackenzie Anderson, who was murdered by Tyrone Thompson.

“In Australia sentences are often ridiculous.

“We far too frequently deliver light sentences and make excuses for men who murder women.”

The grieving mother said in the midst of an epidemic of gender based violence, where women are being killed at an alarming rate, more must be done to keep women safe.

“Most domestic violence offences don’t happen suddenly – they happen in slow motion, they’re often predictable and preventable, if only there was early and decisive interactions from the courts,” she added.

Friends and family wore t-shirts and jumpers with Mackenzie Anderson’s image on them.

MacKenzie Anderson with former partner Tyrone Thompson, who murdered her in her Newcastle apartment in 2022.

“Tyrone was on parole and violently assaulted my daughter for two years, he should not have been out of jail.

“I place a great deal of blame for my daughter’s death on our justice system and on the judges who continually hand down lenient sentences.”

Ms Acret was also angry at how her daughter had been portrayed during the court proceedings.

“Throughout this week my daughter was often referred to as the deceased, a term that strips her of her identity, of personhood, I want people to remember that she was not just a statistic, her name was Mackenzie,” Ms Acret said.

“She was a mother, a sister, a daughter and a friend and most of all she was a human being and her life mattered.

“Mackenzie received the life sentence today, myself her family and friends have been given life sentences of grief and pain.”

Ms Acret is now urging a national conversation around how violent offenders are punished as she vows to be an advocate for all women in preventing these heinous crimes from happening.

“I will continue to keep fighting for all women in honour of my daughter, her voice was taken from her and her voice will not be silenced,” Ms Acret said.

“I will continue to speak to push for change and stand up for every woman who has ever felt unsafe, unheard, unseen.

“Mackenzie’s legacy will be one of justice, action and of hope.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said later on Friday that he had been advised that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was considering the sentence “in line with the prosecution guidelines”.

“I can’t begin to imagine the pain that is being felt by Mackenzie’s family at this news,” Mr Minns said.

“They rightly deserve justice for the horrific murder of their daughter.