'NO JUSTICE'
Husband of murdered Brit mum Emma Lovell breaks silence & says he ‘still has nightmares’ after teen burglar WALKS FREE
Chilling CCTV footage shows the moment the teens enter the mum's home
THE devastated husband of murdered Brit mum Emma Lovell has broken his silence - saying he "still has nightmares" about thugs entering his home.
The dad-of-two also said he and his family feel "let down" after one of the two thugs who killed his wife walked free from court despite being convicted.
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Emma Lovell, 41, was fatally stabbed outside her Brisbane-area home on December 26, 2022, during an attack carried out by two 17-year-old boys.
Security footage showed the two teens fighting with Mrs Lovell and her husband, with the confrontation eventually moving to the driveway, where one of the attackers stabbed her in the chest.
The attacker who delivered the fatal blow admitted to the murder and received a 14-year prison sentence.
His accomplice, however, was acquitted of murder and instead found guilty of burglary and assault causing bodily harm in company during a judge-only trial in October.
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The now-19-year-old, whose identity remains protected due to legal reasons, was also charged with several other crimes in the months prior to the home invasion, including burglaries at other properties.
Justice Michael Copley sentenced him to 18 months in detention, but as he had already spent nearly two years in custody awaiting trial, he was released immediately following the sentencing.
Mr Lovell told Channel Nine's A Current Affair that the court decision was a heavy blow for his family.
He said: "I wanted justice for Emma and I wanted justice for us and I just don't feel that we've got that.
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"Until things start to change for the court system and the laws are implemented, then how is this ever going to change for us or for anyone going forward?"
The dad also revealed he still has haunting nightmares after the tragic incident.
"There are some times when I'm, I'm still woken up in the middle of the night and, you know, checking my phone for the camera," he added.
"You think that someone's in your house or the back garden and I'm not too sure that'll ever change anytime soon."
"Sleep is a problem. I wake up thinking someone is inside my home."
Chilling CCTV released by the Supreme Court of Queensland showed the moment the two teen thugs broke into the Brit mum's home.
The primary accomplice can be seen testing an unlocked door before signalling to his co-accused, who is off-screen, with a thumbs-up gesture.
He then moves out of view.
Moments later, both teenagers reappear, and the primary offender, who had checked the door earlier, is seen pulling out a large knife while standing behind his co-accused.
The pair can then be seen entering the home.
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Emma Lovell's husband, Lee, expressed frustration over what he viewed as a lenient punishment for the teenager.
The distraught husband argued that he should have received the same sentence as his co-offender.
Mr and Mrs Lovell, both originally from Ipswich, England, relocated to Australia in 2011 after first visiting the country in 2002.
Mr Lovell said in court on Wednesday: "Australia was supposed to be our dream come to life, but I can't help feeling completely let down and broken."
The dad of two shared that his daughters' lives would never be the same and revealed he is now contemplating moving his family back to the UK.
"I feel like Boxing Day 2022 was like a sliding door moment for us," he said while addressing the teenage offender in court.
"Our life should have been going in one direction, and yet, here I am, because of the actions of you and your co-offender taking away my family's right to expect peace, security, and safety within our family home.
"Now I am forced to play a role: the role of a grieving husband, a victim of assault, and a father, trying to make his family feel safe in our home again."
The prosecution requested up to 12 months' probation for the young offender following his release, citing concerns for public safety.
Crown Prosecutor David Nardone highlighted the teenager's "fairly lengthy criminal history" of over 100 offences, including other home break-ins, reports.
The teenager's defence barrister argued that he had shown "remorse and concern about the consequences of the break-in at the Lovell residence" and was making efforts to reform his life.
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The judge acknowledged the offender's troubled upbringing in a home plagued by drug abuse, domestic violence, and a father frequently in prison.
"None of this excuses your offending, but it puts it into a broader context," Justice Copley said.
During the trial, Justice Copley revealed that CCTV audio captured phrases like "I'll kill you" and "stop" during the incident, with the word "stop" being shouted multiple times.
According to , the defence argued that their client was the one yelling "stop" during the attack.
The court heard how the Lovells were awakened by their dogs barking around 11.30pm on Boxing Day 2022 and confronted the intruders.
Mr Lovell was stabbed during a "physical struggle directly outside the front door," which then moved to the lawn, where his wife was fatally stabbed.
Emma Lovell, originally from Hasketon, had moved to Australia in pursuit of a "better life" for her family, her brother David Angel told the BBC.
The couple and their daughters, Kassie and Scarlett, aged 14 and 15 at the time, celebrated Christmas Day 2022 by enjoying a special meal at the beach.
In a Facebook post on Christmas Day, hours before the tragedy, Mr. Lovell shared: "So for the first time in 11 years we spent Christmas day on the beach and even managed to cook up some bacon and eggs!
"Hope everyone has a great Christmas Day with loved ones and friends."
Later that night, the family was awakened by intruders in their home.
After forcing one of the men out, Mr. Lovell heard his daughter cry, "Mummy's bleeding."
"I remember thinking at the time, 'I can't die, I can't leave the kids orphans,'" he recalled.
Speaking of his late wife, Mr Lovell said she was "beautiful, amazing" and the "glue in our family," adding that he often breaks down in tears over her loss.
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"Emma was funny, smart, so caring, and would do anything for anyone,"; he said.
"She died trying to protect me and our family."
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