Matt Field’s parents Russell and Ann Field fight to keep son’s killer off the streets
As Matt Field’s parents carry the fight to keep the drunk, drug-addled 17-year-old who killed their son Matt, his partner Kate Leadbetter and their unborn son Miles with a stolen car, they have revealed details of their last conversation with the young would-be father.
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Tears rolling down her face, Ann Field remembers clearly the unbridled pride and joy coming from son Matt as they giggled while watching the six-month ultrasound of his unborn son, already named Miles.
Miles had the hiccups, so the grainy images showed little bubbles emanating from his mouth.
“That was one of the last conversations I had with Matt,’’ she said, explaining that the ultrasound was sent to her by text and they facetimed to watch it together.
“He was so happy and looking forward to the birth. The grief consumes us. Every day. It’s still such a hard thing to believe that we’re talking about how we will remember him.’’
The lives of the Field and Leadbetter families changed forever on Australia Day, 2021, when a drunken, drug-addled 17-year old ploughed into them in a stolen car as they waited on a median strip while walking their dogs at Alexandra Hills, southeast of Brisbane.
Killed instantly were Matthew Field, 37, his pregnant partner Katherine Leadbetter, 31, and their unborn son. The teen who committed the “particularly heinous’’ crime was sentenced to 10 years jail, and with time served will be out on Australia Day, 2027.
The families say the sentence is “manifestly inadequate’’ and want it reviewed and appealed, and are also calling for changes – through a petition that has attracted more than 45,000 signatures already including Capalaba Labor MP Don Brown – to the Juvenile Justice Act to ensure habitual juvenile delinquents are not granted bail.
Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has referred the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice on an appeal.
Russell and Ann Field have spoken for the first time of their anguish and exasperation at the lenient sentence, while also remembering their son.
They are not comfortable speaking publicly, but “we won’t go to our graves without trying to keep this monster off the streets’’.
“I will never accept an apology. May you rot in hell my dear man, may you rot in hell,’’ was the last paragraph of Mr Marks’ victim impact statement.
The two police officers who were first on scene and then told the families of the deaths of their children have both never returned to work.
Mr Field said the sentence was not fair.
“If the judges of today and the lawmakers of today don’t know what natural justice is, they should Google it,” he said.
“If the government sits on its hands on this, they should be held accountable. Justice should be a lay down misere.
“”It’s a joke. In our hearts, lock him up for life. He took three lives that day. Three lives gone in an instant.
“Our lives will never be the same with this tragic loss, and has affected me, my family and friends in every possible way.
“Our family lives have changed forever. No longer can we enjoy happy moments like Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries without Matthew, Kate and Miles being there.
“These happy times are now gone forever. Australia Day will now and forever hold a new meaning for us. It will be a ‘Remembrance Day’ for Matt, Kate and Miles.’’
Mr Field said the juvenile justice system was broken.
“It’s not working,’’ he said.
“Give them, three strikes. On the third strike, they go to jail.
“If the system was working they wouldn’t have these repeat offenders stealing cars. If you steal a car, doesn’t matter what age you are, after three strikes, give them five years jail. This bloke had a rap sheet 12 pages long.
“They won’t (steal) if they know that. I guarantee you. Tomorrow, they are back out again, stealing another car. How many people have to die?’’
The couple, married 42 years, remembered their son as a sportsman, a real Aussie larrikin.
“Matt was loved by many, disliked by few, missed by many,’’ his father said.
“He was a little terrier growing up. If he wanted something he’d go and earn it, not steal it.’’
Matt and Kate met in 2014 and they quickly fell in love.
“They clicked straight away,’’ said Ann.
Mr Field said just one month before, following our Christmas lunch, he was lying in his hammock, thinking how lucky we were to have three wonderful children making a life for themselves.
“Our eldest was married with three children, our daughter and partner had one, and now Matt and Kate were expecting their first child,’’ he said.
“What a joy it was for us to think that our children had survived the most troublesome years of their lives, and moving on to become wonderful parents.
“We were so happy for Matt and Kate to be having a child, as they already had a house, two dogs and a cat, and now were embarking on parenthood with their first child.’’
Mr Field said on the day of the tragedy they were watching the 6pm news when a newsflash appeared that a “young couple had been killed at Alexandra Hills while walking their dogs”.
Ann immediately said “I have a bad feeling about this, I think that is Matt and Kate.”
“I hoped she was wrong,’’ he said.
“She tried messaging them, but there was no response.
“They and their dogs looked forward to the evening walk, and they very seldom missed a day. We had an agonising wait for over three hours until the police were at the front gate.
“We knew then they were about to confirm our worst nightmare.
“You do not know what three hours of anguish, praying and wishing is like, hoping that it was not them.’’
“This was a low act, the lowest of lows, a real dog act,’’ Mr Field said.
“I think he should go to jail for life. Never let him out.
“Every day I wake up I’m searching for something that will assist me in getting over this.
“I get my coffee, sit on the veranda and stare at the front gate for hours, hoping they drive in.
“I would try and do something around the yard, but everywhere I look, things remind me of Matthew.
“I would remember the things we did together at home, a home that he and his brother help me build.
“Thinking of things that we could and should be now doing with Miles, and all the happy time we are missing out on, leave me depressed every day and unable to face work.’
“The sentence will never be enough.
“It will not bring back Matt, Kate and Miles.
“Everyone of us in the family, his friends, those who saw it, have been given a life sentence, our memories will not wane and our pain will not diminish with time.
“We will carry this burden forever and to our grave. I will not forget that day, it is etched in my memory forever.’’
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