Husband thought he had the perfect life

AN evil wife toasted her husband's birthday with a glass of wine just hours before her plot to murder him went into action.

Vicky Soteriou

AN evil wife toasted her husband's birthday with a glass of wine just hours before her plot to murder him went into action.

Exclusive photos obtained by the Herald Sun reveal Vicky Soteriou, 44, partying on the night her husband was almost killed by her secret lover, Ari Dimitrakis.

The mother of three was found guilty yesterday of attempted murder over the plot to kill her husband on his 44th birthday on January 2 last year.

Mr Soteriou's throat was cut and he was stabbed seven times as he walked from his birthday party at Fitzroy's Alpha Ouzeri restaurant.

Photos from the party show Vicky Soteriou cuddling her husband, Chris, while at the same time her knife-wielding lover was lying in wait next to their parked car in Rose St.

Dressed up in a purple sequinned frock with matching manicure, she appears to be enjoying the party with their close friends.

In his first media interview, Mr Soteriou told the Herald Sun he had no idea of his wife's murderous plan, claiming she had been "flirtatious" and made a fuss of him that day.

"We had a great time, we ate, we drank and we danced," he said.

He even wore a shirt to the party that she had given him that morning for his birthday.

Until that night he believed he had the perfect marriage and the perfect life.

He woke from a coma to be told his wife had been cheating on him, and was told a few days later that she had plotted to kill him.

The party photos, taken by a friend, show extravagant shots and cocktails Mr Soteriou had were bought by his wife on the night.

He is seen smiling and dancing through the night, his wife posing next to him.

Members of the Soteriou family cheered and applauded yesterday as the guilty verdict was delivered.

Soteriou swayed in the dock, her lip quivered and she shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Outside court, Mr Soteriou broke down as he thanked his family for their support during the trial.

"I'm just overwhelmed. I want to thank the prosecution first, Victoria Police, justice has prevailed," he said.

"It's a good day, a good result.

"Hopefully we can close this chapter and move on."

The court heard Soteriou's torrid love affair with Dimitrakis was fuelled with talk of murder; Dimitrakis said he went along with it because it made sex better.

The secret lovers had tattoos of each other's names and even bought grave plots next to each other.

A card from Soteriou to her husband on the morning of the attack read: "My darling husband Chris, wishing you all the best with everything you wish for. Thank you for loving me so much, your wife who adores you.

"Vicky XXX OOO."

Dimitrakis received a sentence of seven years with a minimum of five after pleading guilty to intentionally causing serious injury.

Justice Elizabeth Curtain will sentence Soteriou on November 14.