5 Nov 2014

Milner ordered to pay son $55,000

6:26 pm on 5 November 2014

The son of murderer Helen Milner has been awarded $55,000, after successfully suing his mother for false imprisonment.

Milner was jailed for life earlier this year and ordered to spend at least 17 years in prison for the poisoning death of her husband, Philip Nisbet, in 2009.

Mr Nisbet's death was initially treated as a suicide but the case was reopened in 2011 after an investigation by his sister, Lee-Anne Cartier, and an inquest.

Milner was found guilty of poisoning Mr Nisbet with an overdose of an antihistamine, to which he was allergic, in order to get his $250,000 life insurance payout.

Milner's son, Adam Kearns, went to the police with concerns about his stepfather's death, which led to Milner framing him by sending fake death threats to herself.

Mr Kearns was jailed for 18 days as a result.

In the High Court at Christchurch today, Justice Whata agreed Milner's behaviour was calculated and awarded Mr Kearns $45,000 in general damages and $10,000 in exemplary damages.

Mr Kearns lawyer, Kerry Cook, told Radio NZ his client felt vindicated by the ruling.

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