Murder-accused teen involved in stabbing attack on lawyer in 2021

A Brisbane lawyer has revealed one of the teens accused of murdering mother-of-two Emma Lovell was involved in his own stabbing during a home invasion in 2021.

A Brisbane lawyer has revealed one of the teens accused of murdering mother-of-two Emma Lovell was involved in his own stabbing during a home invasion last year.

Aaron Anderson, was asleep in bed with his wife at St Lucia about 1am on August 9, 2021 when he noticed an intruder in his bedroom and chased him to a nearby balcony.

Mr Anderson said he did not realise a second person was in the house until he felt an “excruciating” jolt of pain in his back and realised he had been stabbed.

“I collapsed to the ground and said to my wife ‘I think I’m gone’,” he said.

Mr Anderson was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Brisbane lawyer Aaron Anderson was stabbed during a home invasion involving one of the teenagers charged with Emma Lovell's murder. Picture: Supplied

Almost 17 months on, Mr Anderson said he was “frustrated” that one of the juveniles is now charged with murdering Mrs Lovell, who was fatally stabbed in the chest during a home invasion on Monday night.

“I wasn’t satisfied with the original sentencing, the pendulum is far too in favour of rehabilitation and reintroduction of youths who commit serious crimes – there needs to be changes,” he said.

“I’m just so frustrated by this and to hear that the Premier has (only) come out this morning and announced proposed reforms to the youth justice act

“We had the Kefu’s incident 12 months ago, I was shortly before him – both serious knife incidents that could have meant both of us were in the same position as poor Mrs. Lovell, it has taken this now for reform to take place.

“I’m still very angry – it has taken me a long time to get over what happened to me and all of this is just a huge trigger point.”

The knife used in the attack on Brisbane lawyer Aaron Anderson. Picture: Supplied

Asked about reforms to the youth justice act, which were announced on Thursday morning, Mr Anderson said “The Children’s Court is very lenient – it has a strong focus on rehabilitating youths who are engaging in these sorts of crimes”.

He said the two youths involved in his home invasion had their charges downgraded from attempted murder to unlawful wounding.

“I think a stronger focus on the past history is important because I don’t think there is enough focus at the moment but still, what do you do when they get out of jail, put people on parole and give them a night curfew? I am aghast by the fact that one of the (youths) who came into my home, was allegedly involved in the murder of Mrs Lovell – it is absolutely outrageous,” Mr Anderson said.

Emma Lovell. Picture: Supplied

He said the murder-accused who was also involved in his home invasion last year was sentenced in October this year but not remanded.

“There needs to be a swing back to protecting the community – people like myself, Mrs. Lovell, Mr Kefu – the Youth Justice Act has just swung too far in favour of the youth,” he said speaking generally.

“It is important to weed out (any) very serious youth offenders and make sure they are punished appropriately and in a way that means once they have finished their jail terms, the community can still feel safe.”

Asked whether breach of bail would be an adequate solution, Mr Anderson said “part of the solution”.