'Life is still not long enough,' says Sharon Bennett's father as partner jailed for her murder

Victim impact statement: "Her oldest daughter visited her mum's grave and said she wanted to die and go to heaven with her mum."

Sharon Bennett's parents PJ Bennett (left) and Vicki with family outside court following the sentencing of Patrick Ballard. "I would like to say that I don't blame the Ballard family for what happened to my daughter. I blame Patrick Ballard only; we have all lost here." Picture: Collins Courts

The father of 29-year-old Sharon Bennett, who was repeatedly kicked and had her head "danced on" by her partner in a public toilet, has said that their lives are "devastated" and described her murder as a nightmare from which they cannot wake up.

PJ Bennett told the Central Criminal Court on Friday that he was sorry he had let his daughter down and that he did not protect her enough. He added: "I would like to say that I don't blame the Ballard family for what happened to my daughter. I blame Patrick Ballard only; we have all lost here."