Katy Watson
Reporting from the court

The sentencing of Erin Patterson comes just over two years since she invited her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson to lunch at her house, along with Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson and her husband Ian.

Erin Patterson’s motive remains a mystery – and perhaps that’s why this case has garnered so much attention. Why would a devoted mother of two try and kill relatives who, as the judge said, had been good to her?

It was, he said, an enormous betrayal of trust.

And it was a horrendous crime - Ian and Heather’s son David remembers his mother saying her insides were burning as she lay dying in hospital. His father’s face appeared tortured – black lips, gaunt face and a serious expression.

Patterson now begins her life sentence at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a prison she’s been at since November 2023. She’s being held in relative isolation – in a wing where prisoners are not allowed to mix and meals are delivered via a flap in the cell door.

Such is her notoriety, said the judge this morning, that the conditions in prison will be hard. Solitary confinement is a likely prospect because of the risk posed by other prisoners, he said.

The attention on this case has been unprecedented. That’s why the judge decided to broadcast the sentencing live. True crime fans who’ve followed this case from the beginning were in court again today to see this to the very end.

Ian Wilkinson, the only survivor of the lunch asked for privacy – a family that’s been deeply private since the awful events of that lunch in July 2023 wants to grieve quietly now the sentencing is over.

We're ending our live coverage now - you can read more in our news story here.

"There is great anger at the callousness of your actions," Justice Christopher Beale told Erin Patterson as he handed down a life sentence. Here's a round-up of what he said:

• The level of planning: Patterson invited her former partner and relatives to lunch "with the intention of killing them all", he said, telling the court that she then engaged in an "elaborate cover-up"

• Patterson maintains her innocence: "Your failure to exhibit any remorse poured salt in all the victims wounds", Justice Beale said, telling Patterson she "showed no pity for your victims", even while they were in hospital

• The harm to Patterson's own children: Justice Beale pointed out the "impossibility of shielding the youngest from the incessant discussion of the case in the media, online, in public spaces, even in the schoolyard" - he added that four generations had been traumatised by the crime
• The motive: "Only you know why you committed [the murders]", he said, adding that he would "not be speculating about that matter"
• The lone survivor's offer of forgiveness: "That offer of forgiveness presents you with an opportunity" he told her, "you'd do well to embrace it"

Image source, EPA

If you're just joining us, here's a quick summary of what happened in Victoria Supreme Court, Melbourne, this morning:

• Erin Patterson - who two months ago was found guilty of murdering three relatives and attempting to kill another with a toxic mushroom lunch in 2023 - has been jailed for life
• Her sentence has a non-parole period of 33 years, meaning the 50-year-old will be in her 80s before she can apply to be released
• The mother-of-two kept her eyes closed for much of the proceedings, which lasted about 45 minutes, our correspondent who was sat just metres from Patterson in the courtroom reports

• Justice Christopher Beale says Patterson's crimes fall into the "worst category of offending", noting she had carried out an "elaborate cover-up" of her crimes and committed an "enormous betrayal of trust"
• Prosecutors had wanted a life sentence with no parole - the maximum punishment possible in Australia - but the judge has allowed the possibility of parole due to the "harsh prison conditions" that Patterson has already faced and the notoriety of her crimes
• Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor of the fatal lunch, has spoken publicly for the first time about the ordeal, thanking prosecutors, medical staff and supporters around the world
• Patterson now has 28 days to appeal both the sentence and the jury's guilty verdict

Shortly after a jury found Erin Patterson guilty of triple murder, the court lifted a suppression order on details of the case.

One of the most striking details was that Patterson had allegedly tried to kill her estranged husband Simon Patterson several times in the years before the fatal July 2023 lunch.

Image source, Getty Images

The now convicted murderer was originally going to also be charged with three counts of attempted murder in relation to her husband, but those charges were dropped without explanation on the eve of her trial.

In pre-trial hearings, Simon Patterson said he believed his wife was behind a years-long campaign to kill him with tainted food - including one episode which left him so ill he spent weeks in a coma and his family was twice told to say their goodbyes.

Read more about the ways that Erin Patterson allegedly tried to poison her husband in the years before the toxic mushroom lunch

Simon Atkinson
Reporting from the court

Image source, Getty Images

Even the judge today said we don't know a whole lot about Erin Patterson's life before the fatal lunch in 2023.

Originally Erin Trudi Scutter, she has had a varied career, including working as an accountant, an air traffic controller and an animal welfare worker - where, in the early 2000s, she met Simon Patterson.

In court, Simon spoke of her as a "quite witty", “funny” and "very intelligent" woman – and of a friendship that slowly turned romantic.

They married in 2007 and had their first of two children soon after. And though they separated in 2015, they remain married today – despite what was portrayed in court as an often fractious relationship.

Erin helped out at the church Simon attended, edited a local community newsletter and – as the trial heard – joined true crime Facebook groups.

Financially, Erin told the court she was very comfortable. The jury heard of large inheritances from her relatives and a portfolio of properties – including the Leongatha home where she served the fateful lunch.

Erin told the court that at the start of 2023, she had been accepted into a nursing and midwifery course, which she’d chosen to defer for a year.

Life, however, has panned out very differently for the 50-year-old.

During the 10-week murder trial, the jury weighed up evidence to decide whether Erin Patterson was guilty of three charges of murder and one of attempted murder.

The case centred around a beef Wellington lunch she served at her Leongatha home in July 2023.

Three people died shortly after the lunch - Patterson's former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived after being in an induced coma for weeks.

Prosecutors argued Patterson intentionally served the toxic mushrooms. She pleaded not guilty, saying it was unintentional.

But a jury eventually found her guilty of murder.

Image source, Supreme Court of Victoria

A pre-sentence hearing two weeks ago revealed the depth of the pain caused by the murders.

Ian Wilkinson, the only survivor of the fatal lunch, said the death of his wife had left "deep wounds" on their four children. "I’m deeply grieved by their ongoing pain," he told the court.

Ian and Heather’s daughter Ruth Dubois said it was “difficult to comprehend” Erin Patterson’s crimes.

Simon Patterson, Erin's estranged husband, said the couple’s two children had suffered greatly and "almost everybody knows their mother murdered their grandparents".

Tim Patterson, nephew of Erin's in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, said "years of love and laughter" had been stolen as a result of his relatives' murders.

You can read more here about the impact of the crimes on Ian Wilkinson and family members of the victims.

Erin Patterson has 28 days from today to lodge an appeal against her sentence of life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years.

She can also appeal the guilty verdict, handed down by a jury in July, over the murder of three relatives and the attempted murder of another.

Justice Christopher Beale's sentence is one of the longest sentences given to a female inmate in Australia.

If Patterson does not lodge an appeal by midnight on 6 October, she will have to ask for an extension and can proceed only if and when it is granted.

Katy Watson
Reporting from the court

Court Four in Melbourne’s grand Supreme Court was busy this morning.

The media benches were full and there were plenty of people in the public gallery, peering down over Erin Patterson through Perspex - but they couldn’t see much more than the top of her head.

From where I was sitting though, I could see Patterson as she sat listening to Justice Beale, with her eyes closed for long periods.

There were bursts of speedy typing from journalists on their laptops when Justice Beale talked about Patterson's crimes, but no reaction from her.

Likewise, the judge reading out swathes of the powerful statements made by her family elicited no response.

When Justice Beale told Patterson to stand and delivered the sentence of life imprisonment, she again showed no signs of emotion. The only change at this point was that she opened her eyes.

When the judge had finished, Patterson filed past journalists who’ve been covering this case for more than two years now, holding on to the wooden benches as she went, as if for some sort of support.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Atkinson
Reporting from the court

Ian Wilkinson walked in and out of court saying nothing during Erin Patterson's trial, and again at the pre-sentence hearing earlier this month.

So word he was about to speak in the doorway of the Supreme Court this morning sent reporters sprinting down the street.

The local pastor talked calmly to a pack of media - a list of thanks for police, lawyers, medical staff and supporters - and ended his brief remarks by calling for kindness and wishing the gathered media a nice day.

During his address, Justice Beale said there were several factors which made Patterson's crimes particularly abhorrent.

He spoke about the level of planning she put into the murder plot, which you can read about here, but also noted Patterson's repeated efforts to hide her offending.

She denied she had foraged toxic mushrooms, dumped a food dehydrator in the hours after the fatal lunch and lied to police about a long list of things. He also found that she disposed of the plates she used to serve the lunch - though police have never found them.

"You engaged in an elaborate cover-up of your guilt," he told the court, adding it was an "enormous betrayal of trust".

Lana Lam
BBC News, Sydney

Image source, Reuters

During his sentencing remarks, Justice Beale provided some insight into Erin Patterson's day-to-day life behind bars.

Given the severity of her crimes and her public profile, Patterson has a "maximum security rating", he said.

"You are likely to remain a notorious prisoner for many years to come," he said.

As a result, the triple murderer spends 22 hours a day in her cell, with meals and medicine "delivered though a flap in [the] cell door", Justice Beale described.

She also has access to a small concrete yard - 2m by 1.5m - where she can exercise and get fresh air.

It's also here where she can talk to her neighbouring prisoner through a mesh wire fence. That prisoner is serving a lengthy sentence for terrorism offences and has attacked other inmates, Justice Beale said.

Inmates are also allowed to use the prison library twice a week for 20 minutes but due to staff shortages, Patterson has not been able to access it on a regular basis.

Prosecutors had been pushing for Erin Patterson to be sentenced to life in prison without parole - the maximum penalty possible in Australia.

Justice Beale agreed with them that these crimes were the worst kind of offending, but said his decision to allow parole ultimately came down to the extremely tough conditions Patterson will face in jail.

“There is a substantial chance that for your protection, you will continue to be held in solidary confinement for years to come," he said, highlighting her "notoriety" among the prison population.

"The harsh prison conditions that you have experienced already are important and weighty considerations which should count for something in sentencing."

"In my view, the only scope for making them count is by fixing of a non-parole period."

Earlier, Justice Beale referred to UN guidelines that say a prisoner should not be placed in "separation" for more than 15 days, but pointed out that Patterson had been in such conditions for 15 months already.

Ian Wilkinson, who has never spoken to the media about the case, also thanked the many people from Australia and around the world who had sent messages of support.

"Our lives and the life of our community depends on the kindness of others," he said.

"I would like to encourage everybody to be kind to each other."

He ended with another appeal for people to respect his family's privacy as they "continue to grieve and heal".

"Thank you for listening. I hope you all have a great day."

Lana Lam
BBC News, Sydney

Back to Ian Wilkinson, who just briefly spoke to reporters outside court.

He started with a long list of thank yous, beginning with police.

"They brought to light the truth of what happened to three good people," he said.

He then paid tribute to the efforts of the prosecution, who he said worked tirelessly to pursue the case and helped him navigate the court system.

"The court processes are a little bewildering to lay people like me and we are grateful," he says, for the "kindness and compassion throughout this long process".

He also praised the health staff who dealt with "the aftermath of the lunch" - which included saving his life - and says there are simply too many people to thank to name them all.

Click play below to watch the moment the Justice Christopher Beale tells Erin Patterson she'll be spending at least 33 years in prison.

Ian Wilkinson, the sole surviving lunch guest, is speaking now outside court.

He has previously said Erin Patterson's crimes had not only robbed him of spending the rest of his life with his wife, but also of his two best friends.

Tiffanie Turnbull
BBC News, Sydney

Breaking down the sentence, for each of the three murders Patterson received a term of life imprisonment.

For the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, she was given 25 years.

All are to be served concurrently.

The judge then set down a parole period of 33 years, taking into account the more than 600 days Patterson has already spent in custody.

That means she will be eligible for release in 2056, as an 82-year-old.