The court sentencing a second teen involved in a home invasion that saw a mother-of-two murdered on Boxing Day has heard her family still fears spending the night in their house.
One of the youths pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 14 years detention in May.
The other youth, now aged 19, faced Brisbane Supreme Court today for sentencing after being acquitted of murder or manslaughter, and of wounding of Lovell at a judge-only trial in October.
He was found guilty of burglary and the assault of her husband, Lee.
Lovell read from his victim impact statement but Justice Michael Copley said he would not be able to take into account any parts involving Emma Lovell’s death.
“We made our home a place of love and protection … the actions of you and your co-offender took away our sense of safety,” Lovell said.
“A night of unimaginable tragedy started when you decided to enter my home.”
Lovell said he had installed extra security cameras and a security door but his family still felt a psychological impact.
“Sleep is a problem. I wake up thinking someone is inside my home,” Lovell said.
Crown prosecutor David Nardone told Justice Copley the youth had 104 prior criminal charges on his record and he had committed offences while on community orders and probation.
“His record is dominated by property related and dishonesty offending but includes violence in robberies and common assaults,” Nardone said.
“The burglary and involvement in assault (at the Lovells’ home) was committed the evening after being released on bail from a watch house.”
Nardone said the youth had also pleaded guilty to 19 other offences mainly related to stealing alcohol from shops worth $2000 and wallets and vehicles from homes while in company and at night between September and December 2022.
Copley heard the youth had been in detention since the morning after the Lovell home invasion.
Defence barrister Laura Reece said her client should not face a further probation order after he had shown improvements while in detention.
“Almost two years in detention is sufficient punishment,” she said.
Reece said psychological reports showed the youth had taken steps toward rehabilitation, was remorseful and had positive plans for the future.
Copley said the youth had committed offences primarily to obtain money to fund his substance abuse and had been influenced by others, but that could not excuse his offending.
“I don’t know if your statements of remorse are true or not. No longer breaking the law would be the best evidence,” he said.
Copley said the only suitable punishment was a detention order.
“You repeatedly offended with no regard to others’ property rights,” he said.
The youth was sentenced to 18 months’ detention with convictions recorded for the Lovell home invasion charges and another burglary.
He was not given a probation order and released with time served.