Bandidos bikie Lionel Patea sentenced to LIFE in prison after bashing his young partner Tara Brown, 24, to death at the side of a road
Lionel Patea has been sentenced to life in jail over the murder of Tara Brown, 24
He unexpectedly pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday
Patea will spend at least 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole
Dozens of Ms Brown's loved ones filled the court to watch Patea change his plea
The New Zealand woman suffered critical head injuries during the 2015 attack
She had just dropped off her daughter at day care when Patea chased her down
Triple zero call made by Ms Brown heard her crying 'Lionel, stop. Please help me'
He unexpectedly pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday
Patea will spend at least 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole
Dozens of Ms Brown's loved ones filled the court to watch Patea change his plea
The New Zealand woman suffered critical head injuries during the 2015 attack
She had just dropped off her daughter at day care when Patea chased her down
Triple zero call made by Ms Brown heard her crying 'Lionel, stop. Please help me'
A former Bandidos bikie has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-partner Tara Brown. Lionel John Patea, 25, unexpectedly pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court on the first day of his trial earlier on Monday to killing the mother-of-one. He will have to spend at least 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole, after being sentenced by Justice Debra Mullins on Monday afternoon.
'You have to live every day of your life knowing that you deprived Ms Brown of her life and your daughter of her mother,' Justice Mullins told him.
The 24-year-old New Zealand woman was bludgeoned to death with a metal fire hydrant cover after Patea ran her car off a Gold Coast suburban street in September 2015. The court heard a triple zero call made by Ms Brown captured her final moments - as she begged for her life, crying out: 'Lionel, stop. Please help me.'
Dozens of Ms Brown's family and friends packed the court room on Monday, with many standing when Patea change his plea. Many had a white ribbon pinned to their clothes, the official symbol for Australia's campaign to prevent men's violence against women.
In a statement read outside court by his solicitor Campbell McCallum, Patea said he pleaded guilty with the full support of his family, who had encouraged him to face up to his actions.
'I do not wish to cause Tara's family any further pain nor delay their need for justice,' Patea said in the statement.
'You have to live every day of your life knowing that you deprived Ms Brown of her life and your daughter of her mother,' Justice Mullins told him.
The 24-year-old New Zealand woman was bludgeoned to death with a metal fire hydrant cover after Patea ran her car off a Gold Coast suburban street in September 2015. The court heard a triple zero call made by Ms Brown captured her final moments - as she begged for her life, crying out: 'Lionel, stop. Please help me.'
Lionel John Patea (left) has pleaded guilty on Monday to the murder of his former partner
Supporters of the murdered mother arrived at the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday
Natalie Hinton (centre), mother of murdered woman Tara Brown, arrives at court on Monday
VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT BY TARA BROWN'S MOTHER
Tara Brown's mother Natalie Hinton has read out a victim impact statement to the court on Monday about the 'monster' who claimed her daughter's life.
'Tara was empathetic, warm and trusting. She was a lover of life from a very young age,' Ms Hinton said.
'The monster was now in control, she feared him. He took full advantage of her vulnerability. I was oblivious to the extent of his sickening actions.
'My whole world caved in around me as this misogynistic narcissist murdered my baby girl.'
'Tara was empathetic, warm and trusting. She was a lover of life from a very young age,' Ms Hinton said.
'The monster was now in control, she feared him. He took full advantage of her vulnerability. I was oblivious to the extent of his sickening actions.
'My whole world caved in around me as this misogynistic narcissist murdered my baby girl.'
In a statement read outside court by his solicitor Campbell McCallum, Patea said he pleaded guilty with the full support of his family, who had encouraged him to face up to his actions.
'I do not wish to cause Tara's family any further pain nor delay their need for justice,' Patea said in the statement.
'I accept without reservation the punishment imposed upon me by the justice system today, I will also be ultimately be judged by God.
'I know Tara will never be forgotten, nor will I ever be forgiven.
'I just hope that I can today stop any further potential pain and suffering for Tara's family.'
Australia - BN.
'I know Tara will never be forgotten, nor will I ever be forgiven.
'I just hope that I can today stop any further potential pain and suffering for Tara's family.'
Australia - BN.
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