A West Auckland man who murdered his mother after years of caring for her, has been sentenced to at least 14 years behind bars

Martin Marinovich admitted he killed his mother, Noeleen Ann Marinovich, in their Oratia home on February 7th last year but denied it was murder.

A jury decided otherwise in a trial held earlier this year.

Justice Walker described what unfolded as a frenzied attack over a sustained period involving strangulation and violent hammer blows to the head.

She says the victim was defenceless in all respects.

Marinovich told the court he wished he could "turn back time".