Lovell home invasion: Attorney-General Deb Frecklington’s vow to pursue ‘all aspects available’ after teen walks free
The Attorney-General has vowed to take action after a teen involved in the violent home invasion that ended in the death of Emma Lovell at the hands of a second juvenile walked free despite being convicted of 21 charges.
Police & Courts
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State Attorney-General Deb Frecklington has expressed her disappointment after a juvenile jailed over the violent home invasion that ended in Emma Lovell’s death walked free on Wednesday.
Emma Lovell, 41, was fatally stabbed in her front yard at North Lakes, north of Brisbane, on Boxing Day, 2022. Her killer, now 19, pleaded guilty to murder earlier this year and was jailed for 14 years.
A second juvenile – who cannot be identified, but was 17 at the time and is now 19 – was sentenced on Wednesday to 18 months’ jail for burglary and assault at the Lovell’s home, but was freed due to already having served 710 days in pre-sentence custody, despite being convicted of 21 charges – taking his rap sheet total to 104 offences.
The youth was charged as an accomplice and did not wield the knife and was not directly involved in the struggle on the lawn that ended in Ms Lovell’s death.
The case went to a three-day judge-only trial, with his legal team arguing he was not guilty of Mrs Lovell’s murder because he did not know the primary offender had a knife.
Justice Michael Copley found him not guilty of murder and the alternative of manslaughter, and not guilty of a malicious act with intent and wounding. The youth was only found guilty of burglary and assault.
Ms Frecklington on Thursday doubled down on seeking legal advice and considering “all aspects available” in relation to the case, following the decision.
“The Emma Lovell case and what Lee Lovell and his beautiful daughters and family have had to go through, quite frankly, through our justice system in Queensland, has been shocking, and my heart goes out to that family,” she told 4BC radio.
“This is the reason why we must bring in the making Queensland safe laws if we ever needed a greater example … tougher laws, tougher sentencing guidelines, it is this case, and it’s just heartbreaking that we have to even be talking about it.”
Ms Frecklington said while it may be the case that appealing the youth’s sentence may not result in him going to jail, it was still vital to bring in the new laws to send “an extremely strong message” not to just other offenders but also the judiciary.
“The issue of children constantly using the revolving door has to stop.
“These kids are continuing to commit the crimes because there hasn’t been any punishment for it, which is why people may say this is harsh, but must show these kids that if they do the crime, they will have to suffer the consequences for it,” she said.
She went on to criticise comments from advocates and the United Nations alike who have slammed the incoming laws, saying the government “could not just sit back and watch it happen”.
“We can talk human rights all we like, but what about the human rights of the victims who are losing their lives and the families who have to suffer the consequences because of that,” she said.
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