Attorney-General to appeal punishment for teen driver who killed couple

Queensland’s Attorney-General says she will appeal the sentence handed to a teenage driver who ran down expectant parents Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field, killing them and their unborn child.

The killer, who was sentenced last week under the Youth Justice Act because he was 17 at the time of the offence, will be out of prison before his 24th birthday.

The sentencing sparked widespread criticism because the offender had been before the Children’s Court seven times on 107 charges.

His first appearance was in 2019 as a 15-year-old.

He was on bail for other offences when he killed Leadbetter, 31, and Field, 37, who died at the intersection of Finucane and Vienna roads in Alexandra Hills on Australia Day in 2021.

Leadbetter was five months’ pregnant with the couple’s first child – a son, to be named Miles.

The now 18-year-old male who was driving the stolen Toyota Landcruiser when it hit and killed Kate Leadbetter and Matt Field in Alexandra Hills. Credit: Facebook

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said she had taken advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions and had appealed the decision on Thursday.

“I can confirm the grounds on which the appeal is being made is that the sentence for manslaughter was manifestly inadequate, particularly as the judge determined that the offence was a heinous offence, which meant that the sentence could have been more than 10 years under the Youth Justice Act,” she said.

“I do want to acknowledge what the family and community have been through, the tragic death of Matt and Kate and their unborn child in such horrific circumstances has really been felt far and wide in the Queensland community.

“I have listened, I have received that advice, and today I have appealed that matter.”

When asked about the timing of the appeal, Fentiman highlighted that although the state opposition had called for the appeal on the day of the sentencing, she had also sought advice from Public Prosecutions, adding that she wanted to follow the correct process.

Matthew Field and Kate Leadbetter, and their unborn son Miles, were laid to rest in Brisbane on February 8, 2021.

Fentiman said the families of Leadbetter and Field were “incredibly emotional” upon hearing the matter would be appealed.

“Nothing is going to bring back Matt and Kate. I think that’s at the heart of why the community really have felt this so emotionally,” Fentiman said.

When questioned over young offenders, Fentiman said the Queensland government had made significant changes to the Youth Justice Act, notably to presumption of bail.

“Those reforms are working,” she said.

In a statement by Ann and Russell Field, on behalf of the families of Field and Leadbetter, they said they hoped the appeal was swift and would result in a more appropriate sentence in line with the community’s expectations.

“While today’s decision is a good start there is still a long way to go to change the laws so other families don’t have to go through what we have been through,” the statement read.

“The deaths of Matthew, Kate and Miles must not be in vain.

“This tragedy must prompt the lawmakers of Queensland to change the Youth Justice Act and persuade judges to hand down sentences that match community expectation.

“They don’t only owe it to Matthew, Kate and Miles – they owe it to every family who has lost a loved one or suffered in some way as a result of a repeat juvenile offender.”

The family said they would take some time to absorb the decision before commenting further.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli said the appeal was a win for the couple’s families.

“They have gone through what no one should ever have to. This is also a win for people power,” he said.