Two men have received life sentences for the murder of Chinese businessman Nelson Cheung.
Sentencing Christopher David Menaul (27) and Virgilio Augusto Fernando Correia (35), whose addresses are both given as HMP Maghaberry, at Belfast Crown Court for murdering Mr Cheung and for attacking and robbing his wife Winnie, Mr Justice Treacy said: "The lives of two honest, hard-working people were totally destroyed by the actions of drug-addled, parasitic assailants who were motivated by the need to feed their drug habits.
While Correia was told he will serve a minimum sentence of 16 years without any remission before he is considered eligible for release, Menaul was handed a minimum jail term of nine years.
Mr and Mrs Cheung had just closed their takeaway restaurant on Randalstown's Main Street in the early hours of January 8, 2015 and were making their way home to Ballymena where their jeep was rammed by Menaul and Correia.
After Mr Cheung went to speak to the driver of the car, he was pulled away by Correia who, after demanding money, stabbed the "slight" pensioner 18 times. Mrs Cheung was dragged from her car by the hair, sustained serious wounds to her head and hand, and also had her handbag robbed.
After the attackers fled, Mrs Cheung was found by the emergency services, covered in blood and cradling her fatally wounded husband. Mr Justice Treacy said: "This pitiful scene at the side of a country road still haunts the Cheung family to this day. It is an image they will never put behind them."
The judge also revealed that a question still haunts Mrs Cheung - "why were they so cruel to a stranger who was so powerless to resist?"
During a previous court hearing, it emerged that Menaul and Correia had undertaken a 'dry run' ahead of the events which unfolded on a country road in January 2015.
Addressing Correia, Mr Justice Treacy said that it should have been apparant that when he decided to carry out the robbery, he would have been aware the "slightly build man was not a match for your physically."
Pointing out the consequences of bringing a knife to the robbery, Mr Justice Treacy told Correia: "A moment's reflection would have made it clear to you that there was no need to arm yourself with any weapon to overpower and rob these people.
The judge added that Correia's decision to take a knife to the scene had "a catastrophic effect" and led to an "orgy of deadly violence."
The court heard that both Correia and Menaul were addicted to drugs, and that their motivation was to rob the Cheungs to pay off drugs debts to local paramilitaries.
Menaul was handed a minimum nine year sentence after it was accepted that he played a secondary role in the murder, but knew about the presence of the knife. He was also handed a 12-year sentence for wounding and robbing Mrs Cheung.
Also appearing beside the two killers were husband and wife Gary and Lisa Thompson, who were sentenced for the roles they played in the aftermath.
The couple Felden Avenue in Newtownabbey admitted assisting offenders by allowing Correia and Menaul to take refuge in their home, as well as letting them clean themselves and remove clothing.
They also pleaded guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice.
Gary Thompson (34) was handed a sentence of seven years - half of which will be spent in prison while Lisa Thompson (35) was given a two year sentence, suspended for two years.
Mr Justice Treacy said nothing would fill the void left by Mr Cheung's absence.
"Mrs Cheung lost her life partner of 32 years, a man who helped and supported her in every way," he said.
He added that the businessman's death derived his daughter of a father who should have walked her down the aisle on her wedding day, and deprived his grandchildren of a "loving and wise elder".
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Corrigan, from PSNI's Serious Crime Branch, said all four involved had "contributed to destroying the life of this hardworking couple".
"The motivation behind this horrendous crime was to pay off drugs debts," he said.
"Nelson died as a result and Winnie's life has been destroyed - she left Northern Ireland to return to family in Hong Kong within days of her husband's murder. She can no longer work due to her injury and also suffers from post-traumatic stress."
The police officer said: "We worked tirelessly to identify the people involved in his vicious and brutal attack. It was one of the most vicious attacks that I have experienced during my service as a police officer.
"The major break in the investigation came when we identified the attempted purchase of a hot tub on eBay within an hour of the murder. This purchase was attempted using one of Winnie's stolen credit cards. This led us to Cunningham Way, the address occupied by Gary and Lisa Thompson."
Declining to comment on the sentences, Chief Inspector Corrigan did say he was pleased that those involved were brought to justice.
Regarding the fatal incident, the senior officer said the actions of the killers were reckless.
He said: "This robbery did not require the use of knives. Nelson and Winnie are elderly and defenceless, and the level of brutality - 18 stab wounds - was completely disproportionate to what they gained from this.
"This was one of the most savage and senseless crimes I have ever had the experience of dealing with."
Chief Inspector Corrigan also revealed that the PSNI has been working closely with the Cheung family - from the direct aftermath of the murder right up to today's sentencing.
The policeman paid tribute to the grieving family and said: "Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
"It has really destroyed the Cheung family and the wider family. Nelson never got to see his grandchildren, he never got to walk his daughter down the aisle and he never got to live out his planned retirement in New Zealand with his wife."