Alexandra Hills fatal crash: Teen sentenced over deaths of Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field

The “reckless” teen who took the lives of young parents-to-be when the stolen car he was driving crashed into them was high, drunk, on a suspended licence, ran a red light and was speeding at the time he hit them, a court has heard.

The “reckless” teen who took the lives of young parents-to-be Kate Leadbetter, 31, and her partner Matthew Field, 37, when the stolen car he was driving crashed into them as they were walking their dog in the Redlands on Australia Day last year was drunk behind the wheel and been driving more than twice the speed limit during his rampage, a court has heard.

At the teen’s sentence hearing after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the couple’s death, as well as that of their unborn son, Miles, Crown prosecutor Todd Fuller QC said that on the day of the crash, the underage boy had been drinking at a licenced premises and left in a cab before stealing a Toyota Landcruiser from a Cleveland house while the owners were at home.

He said over the next 20 minutes, the defendant, who was also high and on a suspended driving license, engaged in dangerous driving across several suburbs, travelling more than 100km/h in 50km/h zones, repeatedly driving on the wrong side of the road, weaving through traffic, mounting median strips, and ramming into a car.

Mr Field and Ms Leadbetter were out walking their two dogs Frankie and Django and were crossing Finucane Road at Alexandra Hills when the teen ran a red light, slamming into a tow truck which caused the Landcruiser to roll, striking the young couple.

The then-17-year-old boy was charged with the murders of Kate Leadbetter and Matt Field after a stolen car he was driving in Alexandra Hills hit them. Picture: Facebook

Mr Fuller said the car landed on its wheels and the teen fled the scene, running to a nearby home where he attempted to steal another car.

He was caught by the owner who detained him and waited for police to arrive.

The prosecutor said the man who captured the teen noted he “had blood on his hands” and told him “I can’t do this anymore, I can’t do this anymore”.

When police arrived, they found the teen on the ground crying. He claimed others had been in the car but then changed his story, saying it had only been him.

Matt Field and Kate Leadbetter were hit and killed by a teen driving a stolen Toyota Landcruiser on Australia Day last year. Photo Supplied

Mr Fuller said the defendant was found with $5700 cash in his possession and said his intention had been to buy drugs with it.

The teen has pleaded guilty to a dozen charges including two counts of manslaughter, dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He was originally charged with two counts of murder but prosecutors have accepted pleas to the lesser charges of manslaughter.

Mr Fuller said the defendant was under the influence of cannabis and his estimated blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was between .151 and .192 per cent.

The stolen Landcruiser the teen was driving. Photo Steve Pohlner