Lionel Patea sentenced to life behind bars for murdering Tara Brown

Lionel Patea has been sentenced to life behind bars after he pleaded guilty to the murder of his former partner Tara Brown on the first day of his trial.

Ms Brown, 24, was killed after Patea ran her car off a Gold Coast suburban street in September 2015 and then bludgeoned her with a fire hydrant cover.

In her sentencing judgement today Patea has been sentenced to life behind bars by Justice Debra Mullins, with a minimum non-parole period not mentioned as yet.

Ms Brown's mother Natalie Hinton said in front of the court after the sentencing that she had been oblivious to the full extent of the brutality of her daughter's ex-partner.

"We're very grateful for the sentencing today, his life sentence, but it doesn't bring Tara back," Ms Hinton said.

"I'd like to say to all my family, all of Tara's friends and to the nation of Australia your support has been very overwhelming and we are truly grateful."

She implored anyone experiencing domestic violence to get help.

“Help is out there. And remember Tara when you’re seeking that help.

“Remember the women, don’t become like them.”

Her stepfather Jonathan Gardner said it was a relief that the trial was over.

"It's been a long haul, obviously a very emotional time for us, very stressful.

"It's good to have a finishing point, like today, so we can start to move on."

Dozens of Ms Brown's family and friends filled the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday to watch former Bandido bikie Patea change his plea.

Dressed in a blue suit and black tie, with his wrists handcuffed together, Patea looked straight ahead as he pleaded guilty to all charges including, murder as a domestic violence offence, dangerous operation of a vehicle as a domestic violence offence and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

In a statement read outside court by his solicitor Campbell McCallum, Patea said he pleaded guilty with the full support of his family, who had encouraged him to face up to his actions.

"I do not wish to cause Tara's family any further pain nor delay their need for justice," Patea said in the statement.

"I accept without reservation the punishment imposed upon me by the justice system today, I will also be ultimately be judged by God.

"I know Tara will never be forgotten, nor will I ever be forgiven.

"I just hope that I can today stop any further potential pain and suffering for Tara's family."

Prosecutors showed court the weapon used to kill Ms Brown – a fire hydrant cover weighing 7.8 kilograms.

They told the court he left the cover on Ms Brown's face before walking away calmly.

They added that Ms Brown was "brain dead" by the time she was treated in hospital with multiple head fractures.

Tara Brown's mother Natalie Hinton read her victim impact statement, telling the court that her daughter was "a lover of life ...the world was her oyster".

"The monster was now in control, she feared him," she told the court.

She described Patea as "shameful, barbaric, cowardly. What father would do this to his own child?"

Witnesses saw the pair reaching speeds of more than 100km/h and Patea banging on Ms Brown's driver's side window with both fists when she had to stop at red lights.

Patea eventually rammed the back of Ms Brown's car, forcing the vehicle down an embankment where it overturned, trapping her inside.

Nearby residents who heard the crash originally thought Patea was trying to free Ms Brown and helped him break a window to get to her.

It wasn't until they heard her crying out that they realised what he was doing and tried to stop him, but he fought them off.

In his statement Patea also said he now only lives for his daughter Aria, who was just three-years-old when her mother was murdered.

Mr McCallum said Patea never wanted to go to trial but was not able to plead guilty until a few days ago under the advice of his legal team.

"He had always acknowledged he committed the offence," Mr McCallum said.

"He expects no leniency.

"He is remorseful, he accepts his actions and he is certainly taking full responsibility for his role in Tara Brown's death."

National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.