Lauren Dickason’s mother has taken the stand to give evidence at her triple murder trial.

She's accused of murdering her three young daughters in Timaru in 2021.

Her defence opened its case today - painting Dickason as a mentally disturbed woman in the depths of postpartum depression.

The Herald's Anna Leask says her mother Wendy Fawkes told the court Dickason loved her kids, but she was concerned she'd have a 'breakdown'.

"Well, her mum has spoken today about what Lauren was like as a parent. She said she was paranoid and over-protective, but there's no doubt in her mind that she loved those children."

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