Teenager who stabbed British mum to death after break in jailed for 14 years

She had emigrated from Suffolk in 2011 with her daughters and her husband Lee, who was also injured in the attack.

A teenager who stabbed a British mum to death after breaking into her home in Australia has been jailed for 14 years.

Emma Lovell, 41, was killed when confronting two intruders in Brisbane on Boxing Day in 2022.

The brutal attack, which took place outside the family home, was captured on CCTV and played to a gallery packed with loved ones of Mrs Lovell including her two daughters.

Emma had moved from Suffolk in 2011 with her daughters and her husband Lee, in the hope of a ‘better life’.

However, the ‘loving family’ was ripped apart after a teenager broke into their home and stabbed the mum to death.

The offender, who cannot legally be named as he was 17 at the time, pleaded guilty to her murder earlier this year.

He pleaded guilty to several charges including murder and malicious act with intent.

Now aged 19, he was sentenced at Brisbane’s Supreme Court on Monday afternoon.

During sentencing the court heard the now 19-year-old had been in the company of another boy at the time, who is also facing charges, but has not yet entered a plea.

Originally from Hasketon, Suffolk, Emma Lovell moved to Australia seeking a ‘better life’ for her family, her brother David Angel previously said.

Her attack caused community outrage and was among several which prompted the state of Queensland to controversially introduce stricter youth crime laws.

During sentencing Justice Tom Sullivan said Ms Lovell’s murder was a ‘particularly heinous’ crime.

He said the Lovells had been a ‘loving family’ building a life for themselves in a new country.

He added: ‘They were ordinary citizens enjoying their family life in their home where they were entitled to feel safe. What happened… violated that entirely.’

Outside court Emma’s husband Lee said while he was pleased with the sentence, it would never bring his wife back.

He said: ‘No, I don’t feel justice is served one bit really, no.

‘We’ve got up to 10 years which is more than I thought it was going to be.

He added: ‘It kept my mind off Mother’s Day because, it would have been a very different day if Emma was here.’

Ms Lovell’s family has previously called for her killer to be jailed for life. Adults in Queensland face a mandatory life sentence for murder, however the offender had to be sentenced as a child due to his age at the time of the incident.

This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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