The man responsible for the brutal murder of Kelly Wilkinson in 2021 will serve a life sentence in prison, a judge ruled on Wednesday.
Brian Earl Johnston, Wilkinson’s estranged husband, pleaded guilty to murdering 27-year-old Kelly Wilkinson, in April 2021.
The court heard Johnston had stabbed Wilkinson eight times, before tying her to the clothesline and setting her on fire. Two of their children watched on, before the oldest took himself and his sisters to neighbours for help.
Justice Peter Applegarth described Wikinson’s murder as “horrendous” and “extreme domestic violence” as he delivered the sentence to the 37-year-old.
“You ignored her dignity and her autonomy,” Justice Applegarth told the Queensland court on Wednesday. “You violated her security.”
Johnston has already served almost three years in jail and will serve a mandatory non-parole period of 20 years.
Outside the court, Wilkinson’s sister Danielle Carroll delivered a powerful statement to reporters on Johnston’s life sentence.
“You have robbed me of a normal life with my baby sister, my confidant and my best friend,” Carroll said.
“All Kelly wanted was to love and be loved, and all you gave her was pure evil.”
Carroll said while Johnston was sentenced to life in prison, he will still have a “second chance” and could potentially walk free at the age of 55.
“Although a life sentence is fitting for someone who has committed such horrific domestic violence crimes, I can’t help but feel let down by the prospect of him being given a second chance and walk free after 20 years,” Carroll said.
“My heart aches for Kelly. This is not justice for her. This is not justice for our family.
“Our family’s journey does not stop here today. It will never end, which makes me question, who really gets the life sentence?”
Police records show in the weeks before her murder, Kelly Wilkinson was approaching several police stations along the Gold Coast, appealing for help from the authorities.
At the time, Johnston had been charged with rape – an allegation he still contests today – and was released from custody on bail. Wilkinson had a domestic violence order (DVO) against her husband, who was not allowed to be in contact with her, unless it was to do with their three children.
An investigation by The Guardian uncovered police notes which described Wilkinson’s appeals to police as “cop-shopping”.
Days later, Johnston arrived at Wilkinson’s home at 4am, carrying a pry bar, duct tape, a sedative and a 20-litre can of petrol.
The court heard accounts from neighbours, who said they heard a woman screaming at 6:30am, before an explosion. Some eye witnesses saw Wilkinson engulfed in flames.
The coroner’s report found Wilkinson was stabbed eight times but ultimately died from the fire.
The rate of homicides from family and domestic violence in Queensland is increasing at an alarming rate. According to police data, domestic and family violence-related homicides in Queensland have risen by 50 per cent in a year.
In the last financial year, 24 people were allegedly murdered by intimate partners or family members, compared to 16 the previous year. About a third of the alleged killers were known to police.
In Australia, at least 14 women have been killed by male-perpetrated violence, according to Destroy the Joint’s Counting Dead Women.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.