Judge sentences couple to life in prison for killing Loretta Saunders

Blake Leggette and Victoria Henneberry pleaded guilty in a Halifax court, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015.

HALIFAX -- A Halifax judge has sentenced a couple to life in prison for the murder of Loretta Saunders, whose remains were found inside a hockey bag along a highway in New Brunswick last year.

Victoria Henneberry, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, will become eligible for parole in 10 years.

Blake Leggette faces an automatic life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 25 years after he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

In his ruling, Judge Josh Arnold of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court accepted the joint sentencing recommendation from the Crown and defence.

Earlier during the sentencing hearing today, the mother of Loretta Saunders told the court that her heart constantly aches since her 26-year-old daughter's death.

Through tears, Miriam Saunders delivered a victim impact statement describing how her daughter overcame a life of drug abuse and sleeping on the streets to pursue a university education.

Both Leggette and Henneberry apologized in court to Saunders' family.