Teen accused of stabbing Suffolk mum in Australia pleads guilty to her murder

Emma Lovell emigrated to Australia from Suffolk in 2011

Emma and Lee Lovell were attacked at their home in Australia
Author: Rachel Vickers-Price, PAPublished 11th Mar 2024

One of two Australian teenagers accused of killing a British mother in 2022 has pleaded guilty to murder.

Emma Lovell, 41, emigrated to Australia from Suffolk in 2011 with her husband Lee, who survived the 2022 incident, and their two daughters.

Queensland Police allege the two boys, who cannot be identified as they were 17 years old at the time of the incident, broke into Ms Lovell's house in North Lakes in the state of Queensland on Boxing Day in 2022.

Mrs Lovell and her husband allegedly confronted the teenagers before the two boys tried to flee the scene.

One of the teenagers, who is now 18, then allegedly stabbed the couple in the front garden of the family's north Brisbane home.

Mrs Lovell was wounded in the chest and died as a result of her injuries.

Her husband, who survived the alleged attack, attended the brief arraignment and was present at Brisbane'sSupreme Court on Monday to hear the teen's guilty plea.

He did not provide media comment.

The teen who allegedly wielded the murder weapon also pleaded guilty to burglary, malicious acts with intent and assault occasioning bodily harm over an attack on Mr Lovell.

He was remanded in custody and will face sentencing on May 3.

The second teenager being charged with the British mum's murder is yet to enter any pleas.

Originally from Hasketon, Mrs Lovell moved to Australia to have the chance to have a "better life" for her family, her brother David Angel told the BBC.

Mrs Lovell's death prompted outrage across Queensland and was one of many high-profile crimes that saw the state introduce stricter youth crime laws in 2023.

It is now a criminal offence in Queensland if a child breaches bail conditions.

Children as young as 15 can also be fitted with GPS trackers, and the courts now have the authority to declare youths as serious repeat offenders in certain circumstances.

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