Jail term for woman who 'did nothing' as partner murdered his son

Thursday, 3 February 2022

Ferro-James Sio was abused over several weeks before being murdered by his father William James Sio, while partner Leza Rawiri was in the same room.

The woman in the same room when five-year-old Ferro-James Sio was beaten to death by his father, who also admitted abusing him herself, has been jailed for five years and seven months.

Leza Rawiri, 30, was sentenced at the High Court in Rotorua on Thursday after earlier pleading guilty two charges of ill-treatment/neglect of a child under 18, and one charge of failure to protect a child under 18.

Ferro-James’ father, William James Sio, 26, was jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years in July last year after pleading guilty to one charge of murder, three charges of ill-treatment of a child and one charge of assault.

After his arrest Sio told police he was “not the parent of the year”.

* Man who beat his son to death told cops he was 'not the parent of the year'

* The state paid $1300 a week for a room in emergency housing where a boy was murdered, but what did it do to keep him safe?

* Not guilty plea, and shout of 'murderer' as alleged child killer appears at High Court

* Rotorua child in abuse case remembered as a 'cute little kid'

Leza Rawiri was criticised for a “lack of humanity” as she did nothing to stop the abuse, and murder, of her partner's child.

Ahead of sentencing a number of emotional victim impact statements were read, including one read by Crown prosecutor Amanda Gordon from Ethan McMillan, a friend of Sio’s who sometimes looked after Ferro-James.

He identified his body, and told the court “They had to hide part of his head, his injuries were that bad.”

“I was never an angry person, but I am now.”

Ferro-James’ mother Martha Te Pere also addressed the court.

“My son will forever be on my mind. . . I will never forgive you for what you did, you took an innocent life.”

Gordon also read a statement from one of Ferro-James’ aunties, Tracy Lambert, who said in the wake of the death she had been “breaking slowly into a billion pieces”.

She said the murder had had a traumatising effect on Ferro-James’ cousins.

William Sio, pictured at his sentencing for the murder of his own son.

She said they flinch at the sound of sirens now, convinced Sio and Rawiri have escaped prison, and also have asked her about Ferro-James’ last moments.

“We need a long time to heal,” she said.

Justice Sarah Katz began her remarks telling Rawiri “although you did not directly kill Ferro-James, you played a role in the events that culminated in his death”.

She also said Ferro-James had been abused for 16 months, and that Rawiri’s “lack of humanity” was “difficult to comprehend”.

Katz described Ferro-James’ treatment as “extreme child abuse”.

The police summary of facts revealed Ferro-James was subjected to a horrific reign of abuse while staying at an emergency accommodation placement in Rotorua, and that not only was Rawiri in the same room at the time of the murder, but that she also abused the boy.

Ferro-James Sio was “entirely defenceless” against the assaults he was subjected to, said Justice Sarah Katz.

Over 11 pages, the summary details the appalling abuse suffered by Ferro-James, who was described by family members and school staff as “a polite, friendly child, who had a great nature”.

The summary revealed Sio and Rawiri would both “frequently” assault the child.

“The defendant Rawiri would also hit Ferro-James, by slapping him on his body. These kinds of assaults by both defendants happened frequently when Ferro-James was in their care.”

The summary also revealed that when teachers at Ferro-James’ Kohanga Reo observed bruising, pinch marks on his ears, arms, back and shoulders, he told them “aunty” – his name for Rawiri – had done it.

The relationship between Sio and Rawiri, who was his de-facto partner and not Ferro-James’ mother, was also described as volatile and violent.

“In the two weeks leading up to the deceased’s death, other residents residing at the Union St address heard daily fighting and constant arguing between the defendants. The arguing would often go on for hours and throughout the night.”

Other residents described hearing Ferro-James screaming, what sounded like him being assaulted, and his crying.

Leza Rawiri was sentenced at the High Court in Rotorua.

“Both defendants would be present in the room with him,” the summary said.

On the day Ferro-James died, Sio was frustrated by what he believed was his son’s bad behaviour, “so he began a lengthy period of ‘discipline’”.

Katz referred to this ‘discipline’ too, noting it was “more accurately described as extreme child abuse”.

This saw him make Ferro-James stand facing the wall with his hands held in front of him.

“If the deceased fell towards the wall from exhaustion, placing his hands on the wall, the defendant Sio would hit or kick Ferro-James. Then the ‘punishment’ would begin again.”

This took place over seven hours.

“During this time the defendant Rawiri was present,” the summary said.

The examination of the room by police in the wake of the murder found multiple palm prints in multiple locations in the bedroom “that appeared to be small left and right handprints side by side”.

“She witnessed the assaults on the deceased but did nothing to stop them.”

On the day of the murder Rawiri went into town and told police that on her return in the afternoon “she went to sleep and slept through the rest of the assaults on Ferro-James”.

“However, she was seen by one of the other residents at around 6pm that evening, when she went into the laundry area. The assaults on Ferro-James continued into the afternoon and evening.”

When Ferro-James could no longer stand up, Sio kicked him with such force he became short of breath and unable to talk.

Sio claimed he then performed CPR and Ferro-James began to breathe normally again.

Rawiri, who was present, claimed later to be asleep at this time.

“The defendant Rawiri, while she claims she was asleep some of the time, saw Sio assaulting Ferro-James, and knew that there was a risk of him suffering grievous bodily harm and failed to take any steps to protect Ferro-James,” the summary said.

Sio claimed he then fell asleep next to Rawiri, waking later to find his son cold and not breathing.

He then attempted to locate a defibrillator using his mobile phone.

Rawiri “went outside, sat on the doorstep and had a cigarette”.

They later took Ferro-James to Rotorua Hospital, pausing a couple of times before entering, where he was unable to be resuscitated and pronounced dead.

Rawiri later told police she had witnessed Sio “discipline” Ferro-James, and hit him, but that she “did not like what she saw and left, so as not to escalate the situation”.

She said on her return she went to sleep.

“She had a lot going on and claimed she did not hear or see anything as she is a deep sleeper.”