Simon Patterson, Erin Patterson’s estranged husband, has begun giving evidence.
After he is sworn in, he unbuttons his suit jacket and takes a seat in the witness box.
Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, is asking Simon about his relationship with Erin and how they met in the early 2000s when they worked at Monash City Council.
Simon Patterson arrives at court on Thursday.Credit: Jason South
Erin was an RSPCA representative at the time. Simon was a civil engineer.
“I guess there’s a fairly eclectic group of friends that formed throughout that organisation and Erin and I were both part of it. And then, yeah, slowly we got to know each other and then I guess it started, romantic relationship, and then got married,” Simon said.
They married on June 2, 2007.
Rogers is now asking Simon about his family: parents Don and Gail, and siblings Matthew, Nathan and Anna.
Simon tells the jury Don worked as a high school teacher until he retired in the early 2000s, and Gail was a home maker and avid volunteer.
“While we were kids living at home, she looked after the house, home duties, I guess you’d say. And then after most of us left home, she did do some office work at the high school as well. She did a lot of volunteer work as well,” Simon said.
