The family of murdered schoolgirl Charlise Mutten have spoken of their mental torture over the nine-year-old's brutal death and the abuse they get from strangers
Grandfather Clinton Mutten tearfully read out a victim impact statement on behalf of himself and his wife Deborah before the sentencing of Charlise's killer stepdad Justin Stein on Friday.
Mr Mutten's emotional plea to the court revealed how their lives have been torn apart since their beloved granddaughter was murdered when Stein shot her in the face at point blank range in January,2022.
Stein,33,was their drug addict daughter Kallista Mutten's fiancé at the time of the heartbreaking tragedy,which took place at Stein's family home at Mount Wilson in Sydney's Blue Mountains.
Stein was convicted of the murder in June and appeared in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday for a sentencing hearing where Mr Mutten told Justice Helen Wilson of the living hell the family has endured in the wake of the killing.
Charlise's grandmother is suffering 'much mental anguish and sadness,' he said. 'It affects her mental and physical health (causing) depression and anxiety.
'The failure to protect Charlise will haunt our consciences for the rest of our lives,causing depression and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
'We trusted our daughter and her partner to provide care for Charlise and in hindsight this trust was misplaced ... family members have become estranged.
One of the last pictures of Charlise Mutten,with her mother Kallista,just over two weeks before she was murdered
'My whole life has been uncovered and under the microscope for all the world to see,' Ms Mutten said. 'I had no voice,just rumours and fingers being pointed at me.
'I can't handle getting a job,people saying that I'm not a good mother.
'Charlise was my biggest fan. And would always say I was the best mummy in the world.
'I miss hearing her voice. More than anything I miss being Charlise’s mum and having her to say to that I love her.
'She was such a kind,smart and good child and wasn’t afraid to say kind things to people.
'My life is never going to be the same. I won't get to see her grow up,go to high school,have her first boyfriend or get married.
'I'm forced to live with the fact I trusted someone and because of my trust I put my daughter in harm’s way. I blame myself a lot.'
Stein will be sentenced on Monday. Crown prosecutors have asked for him to be jailed for life without parole.
His defence counsel has asked for a non-parole period of 25 years,meaning a possible release date in 2047 when he is 56 years old.
Sydney
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