Younger sister Olivia wrote:“Living day to day is hard as mum or dad won’t be there for big celebrations,for example:first job,getting married,babies,birthdays.”
Paige wrote she had experienced sleep troubles,anxiety and panic attacks since her mother’s death,and said she could not bear handling knives or the sound of men’s voices being raised.
“I get mad with my friends when they complain about their parents being too strict or something … I say,‘I don’t have any parents so don’t say that’. It makes me angry and sad,” Paige wrote.
Ms Warren said Fairhall regularly pulled knives and scissors out to intimidate his family when he was angry or drunk. Ms Dalzell’s brother,Malcolm,told the court of the guilt he now felt over his sister’s death.
“I always worried something would happen to Noeline and I feel like I’ve failed her and the children,” he said.
He and wife Jenny now care for the children.
When Fairhall chose to fight the murder charge at trial,his children had to give evidence and that was recorded and played to the jury. Fairhall accepted he killed his former partner and pleaded guilty to manslaughter,but argued he did not intend to kill. Prosecutors didn’t accept that plea and pushed for a murder conviction.
Fairhall’s lawyer,Jarrod Williams,on Thursday said his client endured a traumatic childhood as both parents were alcoholics,and after they separated he was physically beaten by his mother’s partners.
Fairhall began drinking as a teenager and by his early 20s was drinking every day.
After the stabbing,Fairhall held a knife up to a neighbour and told him not to call police. But Mr Williams said his client later showed some contrition and remorse,as he became distressed at seeing his former partner’s critical injury. He was arrested at the scene.
Justice Jane Dixon will sentence him on a later date.
If you or anyone you know needs support,you can contact the National Sexual Assault,Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on1800RESPECT (1800 737 732),Lifeline 131 114,orbeyondblue 1300 224 636.
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