The husband of a Suffolk mum-of-two who was stabbed to death in Australia has said he does not feel “completely happy” with the sentence given to the killer.

A 19-year-old, who cannot be named, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for murdering Emma Lovell at her home in Queensland.

A second teenager is also charged with murder but is yet to enter a plea.

Mrs Lovell, 41, died from a knife wound to her heart at her home in North Lakes on Boxing Day in 2022 while fending off two intruders.

She was originally from Hasketon, outside Woodbridge, and lived with her husband, Lee, in Ipswich before they emigrated along with their two daughters to Australia in 2011.  

Mr Lovell spoke of his mixed feelings and that he was pleased the judge, Justice Tom Sullivan, considered the crime “heinous”.

This meant the sentence for the youth could be extended from 10 to 14 years.

Mr Lovell, who was injured during the incident on Boxing Day, said: “It was nice that the girls and I had support with us, I was hoping for a heinous crime and lucky enough to get that.

“There were a few gasps when this happened as I think we all thought it wouldn't happen.

“Although I'm glad he got more than 10 years, I'm not sure I'm completely happy with the 14 given. 

"I think if the judge imposed a life sentence, then there could possibly be grounds for an appeal, and he wouldn't want that going against him. 

“For now I'm just trying to focus on the girls and I to try and maintain some sort of normality.”

Emma’s best friend, Christina Lofthouse, who lives in Suffolk, also spoke about the sentencing.

She added; “I feel that the judgement passed that this is a particularly heinous crime is a positive, but I feel that the sentence given does not reflect the crime.

“I'm struggling with the differences between the UK and Australian Youth justice system.”

At Brisbane’s Supreme Court on Monday, Justice Tom Sullivan said the attacker, then 17, had committed the “particularly heinous offence” after breaking into the property armed with a knife alongside another boy.

The attacker, now 19, had previously pleaded guilty to her murder.

Emma was described by the judge as "energetic and beloved during the sentencing hearing.