Ian Wilkinson, the only surviving guest of Erin Patterson’s infamous beef Wellington lunch, has addressed the media moments after she received a life sentence for the poisoning murders of her relatives.
Two years after serving a toxic mushroom meal that killed her in-laws Don and Gail and her aunt-in-law Heather, Patterson was today sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years.
Patterson was dealt the sentence in a history-making televised hearing in the Victorian Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Christoper Beale.
Wilkinson began his remarks on the steps outside the court by expressing gratitude to the Homicide Squad and Detective Stephen Eppingstall, who was in charge of the investigation.
“They made a professional, efficient and effective investigation into what happened at the lunch,” Wilkinson said.
“They brought to light the truth of what happened to three good people,” he added.
Wilkinson went on to thank the prosecuting team, including Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers.
“The court processes are a little bewildering to laypeople like me and we are grateful for their expertise, their hard work and their perseverance that has secured this conviction,” he said.
“I’d also like to commend them for their kindness and compassion shown to us throughout this long process,” he added.
Later, Wilkinson thanked the members of his Leongatha and Korumburra communities for their “thoughtfulness and care”, and asked the media to respect his family’s privacy as they continue to grieve and heal.
It marks the first time Wilkinson has spoken to the media in the years since the ill-fated lunch. He had previously remained silent, but addressed dozens of reporters with a prepared statement following the sentencing.
Wilkinson — who was reportedly seated just 10 metres away from Patterson during the hearing — was mentioned by Beale during his 45-minute remarks while handing down the sentence.
Beale recalled a previous plea hearing in which Wilkinson “offered [Patterson] forgiveness for what you did to him”.
The Justice went on to encourage Patterson to accept Wilkinson’s offer of forgiveness.
“That presents you with an opportunity,” Beale said. “You would do well to embrace it.”
The moment was in reference to the victim impact statement Wilkinson gave last month, in which he said he “bears [Patterson] no ill-will”.
After the sentencing, Patterson was led out of the court to be taken back to the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, where she has been sentenced to spend at least the next 33 years of her life.
Lead images: 9News
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