Patterson powerfully confronted over her crimespublished at 08:31 British Summer Time
08:31 BST
Tiffanie Turnbull
BBC News, Sydney
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,
Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor from the lunch, said the killings have left “deep wounds” on his four children
Today in court – one after another, in quick succession – we heard a series of emotional statements which detailed how Erin Patterson’s crimes affected the relatives of her victims.
Simon Patterson, her estranged husband, spoke of his inability to describe how much he missed his parents. Ruth Dubios – the daughter of Ian and Heather Wilkinson – told the court Patterson had used her parents’ natural kindness against them. Don Patterson’s 100-year-old mother shared her grief at having outlived him.
But it was Ian Wilkinson – the sole survivor from that meal – who floored the courtroom.
He has barely said a word in public since the fatal lunch in 2023, but today he walked into court and confronted the woman who murdered his wife, snuffed out the lives of his two best friends, and almost killed him too.
From the witness box, sitting opposite Erin Patterson, he tearfully paid tribute to his “beautiful” wife Heather, spoke of the goodness of Don and Gail’s character, and the trauma this ordeal has inflicted on his children.
As he neared the end of his statement, Wilkinson’s voice became clearer and stronger as he spoke about his desire for justice, before offering Patterson his forgiveness.
“I bear her no ill will,” he said, powerfully declaring: “Now I am no longer Erin Patterson’s victim. She has become the victim of my kindness.”
We’re ending our live coverage now. You can read more in our story here.