Victims can't forgive attackers 

Their court ordeal may be over, but a Bay of Plenty couple won't be forgiving the armed attackers who brutalised them and changed their lives forever.

Peter and Maggie Bentley were still angry on Friday as the last of three men behind the home invasion was sent to jail.

It has been 18 months since the Bentleys first appeared on our television screens after being terrorised by armed attackers, who bashed Peter to within an inch of his life. The case made media headlines when it became clear there had been a botch up of their 111 call.

But on Friday, the last of three men linked to the invasion was sentenced..

The visible scars have nearly all but disappeared, but internally the couple says the memories of what happened on Labour weekend 2004 will never fade.

"They're scum. Absolute, absolute...they're scum. 

The brutal home invasion left Peter Bentley bloodied and bashed and Maggie in the garden desperately calling for help.

Peter says it is now 18 months on and their lives and their trust in people has changed forever.

"A stranger on the road is treated as a threat rather than as a potential friend."

Peter says they are now armed with alarms, guns and protection plans.

"Yes, we have weapons easily and readily available."

Maggie says the couple both have firearms licences.

"We both know the damage a gun can do."

Peter says if the situation ever happened again, they would not be afraid to use the guns.

"Oh I'd kill 'em. Absolutely, there would be no question at all."

Friday was the last visit to court for the Bentleys in relation to the attack, to see a former employee Desmond Mahanga Eru, 24, sentenced.

While he was not convicted for the invasion that left Peter beaten, he has been sentenced for helping the men who were.

Rotorua District Court Judge Phillip Cooper says Eru provided the attackers with information about the layout of the property and the alarm system.

Eru has been sentenced to just under two years in prison, with leave to apply for home detention. While his supporters celebrated in court at the sentence, the Bentleys are outraged.

Maggie expressed disbelief: "I can't believe it. I'm so upset about it."

Peter said the sentence was a joke: "That sums the whole thing up."

While this may have been the last of the offenders sentenced, but it won't be the last we hear of the Bentleys. They are vowing to fight on for other victims of crime.