ISLAM HAS HELL TOO
Evil killer converts in jail but he’ll never be forgiven
LIONEL Patea has converted to Islam as he begins a 20-year jail sentence for murdering his former partner Tara Brown. “I have discussed with Lionel his conversion to Islam,” Patea’s lawyer Campbell MacCallum said. “He needs something in his life to give it purpose.”
KILLER Lionel Patea has converted to Islam to “rehabilitate” himself after murdering his former partner Tara Brown.
The Gold Coast Bulletin has learned the former bikie extortion king became a Muslim and asked to be “ultimately judged by God” on the day he was sentenced for Ms Brown’s death.
On Monday, he received a life sentence and will spend more than 20 years in jail after pleading guilty to murder.
“I have discussed with Lionel his conversion to Islam,” Patea’s long-term defence lawyer Campbell MacCallum said.
“Lionel is someone who likes to have guidance from other people. That’s one of the reasons, I suppose, he was involved in a bikie club - so he could get guidance from others, no matter how misguided that was.
“He needs something in his life to give it purpose.”
Mr MacCallum said Patea’s conversion was motivated by being apart from his family and having less support while behind bars.
“His mother has always been his strongest support base and he doesn’t have access to her when in prison,” he said.
“That may be a motivating factor for him. It was more someone to talk to, some beliefs he wished to adopt and someone that he could ultimately talk to when he’s locked in his cell.”
In September 2015, Patea rammed Ms Brown’s car off the road after a high-speed chase and bludgeoned her with a metal fire hydrant cover. She died in hospital from the injuries.
“I accept without reservation the punishment imposed upon me by the justice system today, I will also be ultimately judged by God,” Patea said in a statement on Monday.
“My actions are unforgivable and I do not expect forgivness (sic),” he added in a letter tendered to the Brisbane Supreme Court.
“I will endeavour too (sic) rehabilitate whilst in custody. Maybe one day I can help prevent another occurrence like this from ever happening again.”
The Bulletin this week revealed Patea threatened to kill Ms Brown more than three years before her death and punched another woman in a separate domestic violence attack.
As sergeant-at-arms and key standover man at the Bandidos, he was receiving at least $250,000 a year and physically confronted a cop during the riot at the Southport police station the night of the infamous Broadbeach bikie brawl in 2013.
Patea will serve his sentence at Maryborough Correctional. He is expected to be placed in protective custody at the jail.