Warning: This article contains details that may disturb some people.
Lauren Dickason has been sentenced to 18 years for the murders of her three young children.
However, she will not immediately be sent to prison. Instead, she will serve her sentence in a mental health facility until "relevant medical authorities" decide she is mentally well enough to enter prison.
No minimum non-parole period was imposed by Justice Cameron Mander.
Shortly after the sentencing, Lauren released a statement taking responsibility for her daughters' deaths.
"I loved Liané, Maya and Karla with all my heart. I failed them, I failed Graham, and I failed our families. I take responsibility for taking our three beautiful girls from this world," it read.
"I would like to take this opportunity to convey the deepest and most sincere remorse for the extreme pain and hurt caused to my children and my family by my actions.
She said no apology will ever be enough and wants people to know her girls brought her so much joy and were the centre of her world.
"I am horrified by my actions, and the pain, distress and trauma I have caused everyone who loved them. Like many others, I miss them every single day."
A High Court jury found Lauren guilty of murder on August 16 following a month-long trial in Christchurch.
The high-profile case was centred around the tragic loss of three young children - 6-year-old Liané and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla.
Lauren, a doctor from South Africa, had not long moved to Timaru with her family when she murdered her little girls.
Her husband, Graham Dickson, who was also a doctor, found the bodies of their children after he arrived home from a work function in September 2021.
Lauren admitted to killing the girls by smothering them to death but pleaded not guilty to murder. Her lawyers argued the defence of insanity and infanticide.
After 15 hours of deliberations, the jury, unable to reach a unanimous decision, gave a majority verdict.
Since the murders, Dickason has been in the mental health unit at Christchurch's Hillmorton Hospital. After her conviction, Justice Mander made an order under the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act for her to be detained in the hospital while psychiatrists prepare reports for sentencing.
At sentencing, close family members from both Lauren and Graham's side gave victim impacts.
The families spoke about the immense pain the loss of the three girls caused them and anger at a lack of understanding around mental health, particularly post-partum depression, which Lauren's family believes drove the murder.
Many family members spoke of their forgiveness of Lauren and her actions.
"We ask you to please have mercy on Lauren when it comes to her sentencing. She has been punished enough already," a close family member of Lauren said.
"She has lost everything, as has her husband.
"In many conversations with her… She has expressed remorse, grief, shame and incredulity over what has happened. She has to live with what has happened for the rest of her life."
Both the Crown and defence sought significant discounts on Lauren's sentence due to her mental illness. The Crown sought a credit of around 30 percent be applied, while the defence sought at least 40 percent.
The Crown sought a life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of at least 17 years, taking into account the mental health aspects of the case. Crown prosecutor Andrew McRae cited anger, the age of her victims and the brutality of the murders as aggravating factors towards sentencing.
The defence said a life sentence would be manifestly unjust and sought a minimum imprisonment period of 14 years. Lauren's lawyer referred to her suicide attempt, the fact she hadn't abused her children before the offending and her severe mental illness.
"Dickason's mental illness was the cause of her offending," defence lawyer Kerryn Beaton KC said.
"But for her illness, her children would be alive today."
All three experts who submitted reports to the Judge for sentencing recommended Lauren be detained in a mental health facility rather than prison. They found she remains mentally disordered.
Justice Mander agreed with those assessments.
"I do not consider any question arises as to your genuine remorse," he told Dickason before handing down the 18-year sentence.
"In arriving at that sentence, I have taken into account your relative isolation in this country, and the absence of local family and social support.
"Medical opinion that I have received is unanimous - that you are mentally disordered as that term is defined under the relevant legislation. You have a recurrent major mental disorder, namely a mental depressive disorder, which is complicated by symptoms of anxiety in what is described as a 'complex grief reaction' which remains only partially treated."
'Lauren Dickason herself has lost everything I have lost' - Graham Dickason
Lauren's husband has forgiven her for killing their children, saying her punishment is already severe.
Graham moved back to South Africa several weeks after the murders. He remotely gave evidence during the trial and listened as the harrowing events were traversed in court.
At sentencing on Wednesday, Graham's impact statement was read on his behalf.
He said his life changed forever on that fateful day almost three years ago.
"My life as I knew it immediately ground to a halt," his statement said.
Graham, his family and Lauren's family have been grieving the death of the three little girls ever since, he said.
"Although the deep scars and voids in our hearts will always be visible and tangible, for a long time our tears have been brimming just below the surface with every conversation between family and friends.
"We have supported each other well throughout these times and this tragedy has brought us closer together as we have realised how short life could be and how precious every moment is."
Graham said this tragedy has impacted people all around the world and was grateful for the support and prayers for his family.
He has forgiven Lauren for what she did and holds no anger towards her.
Graham said he had no doubt her mental health had deteriorated and hoped she received the best treatment and care physically and mentally. He feared she would self-harm.
"Lauren Dickason herself has lost everything I have lost," he said.
"She will have to live with the knowledge of what she has done for the rest of her life. Her punishment is already severe."
Graham said he would not see his daughters turn into beautiful young women and start their own families. Any prospects of grandchildren are lost, he said.
"Of course, the real victims are Liané, Karla and Maya. We will think of them every day, miss them always and love them forever - until we see them again."
Where to find help and support:
- www.areyouok.org.nz - information and 24/7 family violence support. Call 0800 456 450.
- www.inyourhands.org.nz - for people using violence who want to change. Call 0800 456 450.
- www.safetotalk.nz - 0800 044 334 sexual violence helpline.
- Elder abuse support - 0800 EA NOT OK (0800 32 668 65), text 5032, support@elderabuse.nz
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
