Emma Lovell's husband reacts to teen's murder acquital

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

Mrs Lovell 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.

Emma Lovell (right) with her best friend Christina Lofthouse (Image: Christina Lofthouse) During a judge-only trial, one of the teens involved, who was 17 at the time, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of burglary and assault.

The trial was not held in front of a jury as it took place close to state elections.

Speaking after the trial, Mr Lovell said: “I'm still in shock by the result. I thought maybe it might go to a manslaughter charge, but not as low as a burglary charge.

“I just feel that justice hasn't prevailed, it's almost like an open invitation for a youth to murder someone because they're not really going to get any meaningful sentence."

During the case the prosecution argued that the accused “had knowledge at the time of the commission of all of the offences that his co-offender was in possession of a knife”, according to the judgment.

But Justice Michael Copley said he could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant knew his co-offender, “H”, was armed with a knife.

Mr Lovell said: “I feel the judge has been so weak with this guy.

“Yes it was dark, but not so pitch black you couldn't see anything.

“He totally disregarded any notion that the two both knew about the knife prior to coming to our house.”

Mr Lovell was injured during a “physical struggle directly outside the front door” which then moved to the front lawn, where his wife was fatally stabbed.

Previously another teenager, who cannot be named, admitted he stabbed Mrs Lovell and was jailed for 14 years.

Mr Lovell added: “I feel the justice system needs a massive overhaul. Things need to change, or this just going to happen again.”

Emma’s best friend, Christina Lofthouse, also reacted to the sentencing.

She said: “The pain I feel for all who love Emma is unmeasurable.

Christina Lofthouse and Emma Lovell were best friends for 33 years. (Image: Christina Lofthouse) “This isn't justice, this is a slap on the wrist, yet again, for another youth offender in Queensland.

“My heart is broken that this is where we are at, one has been served a meagre sentence of 14 years for murder and the other has had his part in that awful night downgraded to burglary.

She said: “The Queensland Justice system should be ashamed of themselves.”

Christina Lofthouse called the sentence a slap on the wrist. (Image: Christina Lofthouse)

Previously at Brisbane’s Supreme Court, Justice Tom Sullivan said the attacker who admitted murdering Mrs Lovell had committed a “particularly heinous offence”.

The couple previously lived in Martin Road in Ipswich before moving to Australia. (Image: William Warnes, Newsquest)

The teenager who admitted murder also pleaded guilty to burglary, malicious acts with intent and assault occasioning bodily harm over the attack on Mr Lovell.