???1;Julia DeLuney's been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of 18 years, for the murder of her mother

The 53-year-old was found guilty by a jury in July, and sentenced today at the High Court in Wellington.

79-year-old Helen Gregory was found dead in her Khandallah home in January last year after DeLuney struck her around the head multiple times with a heavy object.

Open Justice reports the courtroom's public gallery was packed with family, friends, police and members of the public today.

DeLuney's husband sat behind her as she sat in the dock.

She continues to maintain her innocence.