Key events
Wilkinson says a “very important member of our family is missing”.
He says:
The greatest impact on Erin’s actions on me has been to deprive me of Heather’s company and Heather’s important place in our family …
The silence in our home is a daily reminder.
I continue to carry a heavy burden of grief over her untimely grief. It’s a truly horrible thought to live with that somebody could decide to take her life.
I only feel half alive without her.
At this point, Wilkinson stops to wipe tears away from his eyes and is joined at the bar table where he is standing by his daughter, Ruth Dubois.
Wilkinson says his life is also “greatly impoverished” by the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson.
Ian Wilkinson pays tribute to late wife Heather
Wilkinson is delivering his victim impact statement in court.
He begins by describing his wife, Heather, who was murdered by Patterson. He says:
She was a compassionate, intelligent, brave, witty, simply a delightful person who loved sharing life with others …
She was generous in her attitudes and with her resources. If she could help somebody, she would.
Wilkinson says Heather had a great sense of humour and it was a “joy” to be her in company.
His voice begins to crack as he says the pair shared a close marriage relationship for 44 years.
Together we faced life as a team and we delighted in each other’s company.
Wilkinson says the pair’s six children were thrown into an unprecedented situation where they had to take medical responsibility for their parents.
He says the trauma they experienced over their mother’s death and his attempted murder has left “deep wounds.”
Ian Wilkinson to deliver first victim impact statement
Justice Christopher Beale says there are seven victim impact statements.
The first victim impact statement will be from Ian Wilkinson, the sole surviving lunch guest, the court hears.
Wilkinson will read his statement in court.
Nino Bucci
Erin Patterson, appearing gaunt and drawn compared with when she appeared in court for her trial, just responded in the affirmative to four questions regarding her particulars. There are about 10 members of the Wilkinson and Patterson family in court, including Ian Wilkinson, but not Simon Patterson.
Hearing under way
Patterson’s plea hearing has begun in Victoria’s supreme court.
She will hear her victims’ loved ones give statements about how the crime has impacted them.
Welcome
Welcome to our live coverage of Erin Patterson’s plea hearing.
On 7 July, Patterson was found guilty of murdering her estranged husband’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson. A Victorian supreme court jury also found Patterson guilty of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson.
In the pre-sentencing hearing, the prosecution and defence will make arguments about factors supreme court judge Justice Christopher Beale should take into account when sentencing Patterson.
The hearing also gives loved ones of the victims a chance to tell the court how the crime has affected them.
The prosecution has flagged “a lot” of victim impact statements will be heard.
The hearing is expected to begin at 10.30am.
