CHILLING CCTV has revealed the moment two teen burglars broke into a Brit mum’s home leading to her fatal stabbing on Boxing Day.
Footage released by the Supreme Court of Queensland shows the first moments of the horror break-in at Emma Lovell’s North Lakes home in Brisbane.
The mum-of-two, 41, was fatally stabbed outside her home on December 26, 2022, during an attack carried out by two 17-year-old boys.
The video displays one of the teenage offenders, who ultimately confessed to the crime of murder, checking the front door and then signaling to his partner, out of sight, with a thumbs-up sign.
Moments later, both boys reappear, with one of them wielding a large knife before entering the house.
Emma, along with her husband Lee, was awakened by their dogs barking at around 11.30pm.
Confronting the intruders at their door, a physical struggle ensued outside, before the confrontation moved to the front lawn.
Throughout the altercation, Mr. Lovell was stabbed, while the mother received the deadly wound to her chest while attempting to shield her family from the armed intruders.
In the footage audio, harrowing threats were also captured.
The phrase “I’ll kill you” and the word “stop” were heard multiple times, as both Mr. and Mrs. Lovell fought for their lives.
According to statements in court, the defense argued that the other teenager was the individual shouting “stop” during the event, yet the proof depicted a horrifying scene of a brutal assault.
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.
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.
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.”
