Monster bludgeoned the mother of his kids to death with a paving brick while their son, 6, pulled on his shirt screaming for him to stop - as chilling Triple-0 call reveals her shattering last moments
- Crystal-Lee Selwyn, 38, was bashed in her home by her former partner last year
- Three young children witnessed the attack while five overs heard her screaming
- Rueben Paul Peeni was sentenced to life in prison at Hamilton court on Tuesday
- He inflicted 13 vicious blows to his former partner's head with a 7kg paving stone
- Two children tried to pull him off Ms Selwyn but he continued to taunt and hit her
- The horrific assault lasted just 90 seconds and was recorded on a police call
A chilling emergency call has revealed the final moments of a mother-of-eight as she was beaten to death with a paving stone by her ex-boyfriend while their young children watched in horror.
Rueben Paul Peeni savagely bashed Crystal Lee Selwyn, 38, at their home in Hamilton on New Zealand's North Island, on November 23.
The evil father inflicted 13 blows to Ms Selwyn's head with a 7kg paving stone as their six-year-old son pulled on his shirt and bit him, pleading with him to stop hurting his mum.
Another 14-year-old boy who lived nearby tried to intervene, but was shoved away by Peeni, who continued his fatal 90-second assault.
Crystal Lee Selwyn died after being brutally bashed by the father of her children as they watched on
Rueben Paul Peeni (pictured) repeatedly bashed Crystal Lee Selwyn, 38, at their home in Hamilton on New Zealand's North Island, on November 23
Ms Selwyn called police to try and get help moments before the horrific attack, with the emergency operator hearing the thug smash her head with a brick as he verbally abused her.
As Ms Selwyn slowly went quiet, the terrifying screams of the six-year-old and 14-year-old boys were heard on audio, as well as six other children who witnessed the murder.
All children, who will be forever traumatised by Peeni's thuggery, were aged between six and 14, the NZ Herald reported.
They included five of the six children the couple shared.
Ms Selwyn was rushed to Waikato Hospital with head injuries, but had her life support turned off four days later.
Harrowing details about the attack were revealed when Peeni appeared at Hamilton High Court on Tuesday.
Share this article
He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 17 years by Justice Graham Lang.
During his sentencing Justin Lang told the court the children will feel the effects from witnessing and hearing the attack for the rest of their lives.
'This is a tragedy that will have disastrous consequences for years to come,' he said.
Justice Lang said the taunts made to Ms Selwyn in front of her children as she was attacked took the 'callousness and cruelty of the offending to another level'.
'It's difficult to see how any father could subject his young children and their friends to seeing and hearing conduct such as this,' Justice Lang said.
Peeni inflicted 13 blows to Ms Selwyn's head with a 7kg paving stone as their six-year-old son pulled on his shirt and bit him to stop him from hurting his mum
Ms Selwyn was rushed to Waikato Hospital with head injuries, but had her life support turned off four days later
Peeni had been day-drinking and returned home after buying more alcohol when he started walking around the house saying he was going to kill Ms Selwyn.
The pair had broken up but were still living together at the family home.
Ms Selwyn called police for help at 6.27pm and stood outside talking to the dispatcher.
Peeni punched his former partner in the head causing her to fall to the ground before grabbing her hair and punching her another four times.
At this point the 14-year-old stepped in but was pushed away and Peeni's six-year-old son pulled on his shirt and bit him to get him off his mother.
Rather than stopping Peeni picked up the paving stone and hit Ms Selwyn.
Ms Selwyn's six youngest children (pictured) witnessed the alleged attack, and are now being taken care of by extended family
He put the stone down briefly before picking it up and hitting her again as he said 'die you f****** a*******'.
Peeni ran from the scene, leaving the stone next to Ms Selwyn's body before returning a short time later with his sister and her husband.
When he returned police were at the scene and he was arrested, telling police he 'just lost it' but insisted he only his Ms Selwyn twice with the brick.
Peeni pleaded guilty to murdering his former partner on February 25.
The court heard police had been previously called to the couple's home for previous domestic violence offences.
Peeni had also been arrested and jailed for previous attacks on Ms Selwyn with previous convictions dating back to 2008.
