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There were emotional scenes at the High Court in Christchurch, after Clayton Weatherston's guilty verdict was read out.
The jury took just five-and-a-half hours to find Weatherston guilty of the murder of his former girlfriend Sophie Elliott in January last year.
Sophie Elliott's mother, Lesley, described her daughter as "a loving, vibrant girl" and told the waiting media the verdict came as a huge relief for the whole family.
Lesley Elliott said the outcome has been a long time coming and that the support of family, friends and strangers throughout New Zealand helped her get through the trial.
Clayton Weatherston's father, Roger, also spoke to media saying the family had been shocked by what Clayton had done.
They said it was out of character for the person the family knew, but the family had a greater understanding after hearing the evidence. The family was sad that they had not recognised that Weatherston needed help.
"We love him very much and will continue to do so," Roger Weatherston said.
