A teenager who murdered a woman during a home invasion could be sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment unless the judge finds the crime “particularly heinous”.
The now 18-year-old and another teen were charged after Emma Lovell was fatally stabbed in her home north of Brisbane in 2022.
Police alleged the two boys, then 17 years old, broke into a North Lakes house north of Brisbane and attacked Lovell and her husband Lee at about 11.30pm on Boxing Day.
The mother-of-two died after being stabbed in the chest while her husband was treated in hospital for a knife wound.
The teen faced Brisbane Supreme Court today for Justice Tom Sullivan to hear submissions from the prosecution and defence on what sentence he should impose.
The teen pleaded guilty in March to murder and break-in offences related to the home invasion.
Justice Sullivan said he would reserve his decision on the sentence until next week.
Crown prosecutor David Nardone said he was previously wrong to say the teen faced a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Justice Sullivan said previous cases demonstrated a lower sentence for juvenile offenders convicted of murder.
“It’s 10 years unless it is found to be a particularly heinous offence, leading up to 14 years,” Justice Sullivan said.
Mr Lovell and his children were present in court and watched as the prosecution played security camera footage of the home invasion.
Mr Lovell told the court he was trying the best he could to raise his children after losing his wife of 22 years.
“I feel so lost without her ⦠It was so difficult returning home. My daughter feared they would come back.”
Mr Lovell said his family now faced a life sentence while the person who murdered his wife would not.
Nardone said the teen had engaged in premeditated offending and stabbed Ms Lovell with such force that the knife blade snapped.
“He has broken into premises or homes on 16 occasions… this was his first time entering a home armed and he knew the risks … he elevated the risk of harm,” Nardone said.
Security camera footage was played showing the teen testing the front door and finding it unlocked before entering ahead of his accomplice.
The teen soon after engages in a physical altercation with Mr and Mrs Lovell while holding a knife.
Another camera showed the teens running down the street while the Lovells collapsed in their driveway.
The Lovell family left the court while graphic audio of the home invasion was played.
The couple’s two teenage children were also sleeping in the house when the co-offenders broke in.
A barking dog alerted the couple and they tried to push the two intruders out of the house.
The teen stabbed Mrs Lovell in the heart and Mr Lovell in the back, before kicking him several times in the head.
The teen’s defence barrister, Scott Lynch, is also due to make submissions today.
