Wellington, June 26: A woman from South Africa who killed her three daughters after moving to New Zealand has been awarded 18 years of imprisonment. The development comes after a New Zealand judge announced the sentence on Wednesday, June 26. The alleged triple murder occurred in September 2021 at the woman's home in Timaru, New Zealand.

According to a report in AFP, the woman identified as Lauren Dickason brutally killed her two-year-old twin daughters, Maya and Karla and first daughter, Liane, who was six years old. As per the report, the alleged killings took place when Dickason's husband was out for dinner with his colleagues. He was shocked to find his children's bodies when he returned home after dinner. New Zealand Shocker: Teacher Grooms Female Student for Decade, Has Sex With Her Before Marrying Her, Jailed.

A court official from Christchurch High Court said that the accused woman would begin her sentence at a mental health hospital in the custody of the state. After her sentencing, Lauren Dickason said that she "failed" her children and her husband. It was also learned that Lauren's husband had moved back to South Africa. "I take responsibility for taking our three beautiful girls from this world," she said.

Dickason also expressed remorse for hurting her children and family through her actions. Meanwhile, Justice Cameron Mander, who announced the verdict, did not impose the minimum non-parole period while sentencing Dickason. It must be noted that Dickason escaped life imprisonment, a punishment which is usually a penalty for murder in New Zealand. US: Gamer Edward Kang Attacks Rival With Hammer Over Online Dispute After Flying From New Jersey to Florida, Arrested.

While Dickason has been sentenced today, she was found guilty last year in August on three counts of murder. Notably, the family had moved to New Zealand from South Africa just weeks before the horrific triple murder took place. During the trial last year, Dickason confessed to killing her three girls but put forth a defence of insanity and infanticide that she said was triggered by stress.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2024 03:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).