Daily London
The family of a grandmother killed in a fatal stabbing that sparked landmark law reforms has broken down as they spoke of the horror attack’s impact.
Vyleen White was killed by a teenager in a February 2024 car jacking outside a shopping centre witnessed by a young girl, sending shockwaves through Queensland.
The 70-year-old’s death was a catalyst for the Queensland Liberal-National government’s controversial “adult crime, adult time” laws, ensuring juveniles face a potential life sentence for murder.
A teenage boy, now aged 17, faced sentencing in the Queensland Supreme Court today after pleading guilty to murder over the horrific incident at Redbank Plains shopping centre, west of Brisbane.
The fatal stabbing occurred as the teenager stole White’s 2009 Hyundai Getz hatchback.
The teen appeared calm as heartbreaking victim impact statements were heard by Chief Justice Helen Bowskill in a court packed by White’s family and supporters.
White’s husband, who was in the gallery with his three daughters, expressed his anger over the “injustice” of his wife’s murder.
“My wife and partner of 50 years is gone, and with her a part of me is gone,” Victor White said in a victim impact statement read by the prosecution.
The victim’s daughter Denise broke down as she spoke in court, describing how her life had changed since losing her “anchor”.
“The things that used to bring me joy … now they’re totally meaningless,” she said in her impact statement.
The LNP campaigned hard on youth crime following White’s death and introduced tough laws after winning the 2024 election.
The changes mean juveniles face adult jail terms for serious offences, including life terms for murder.
But the laws are not retrospective, meaning White’s attacker could spend significantly less than 10 years behind bars.
Crown prosecutor Chris Cook pushed for the maximum available sentence, saying the teen’s offending was significantly aggravated as the murder was witnessed by a young girl.
“There was a lack of hesitation. (The teen) had other options for his aim of stealing car keys,” he said.
Justice Bowskill heard the teen, aged 16 at the time, had been drinking vodka and committing “brazen thefts” of alcohol with other teens before the attack.
The teen was on bail for a violent armed robbery and admitted entering the shopping centre with the intent of stealing a car, the court was told.
“He had a black hoodie. He had a surgical mask. He was covering his face,” Cook said.
“He moved towards (Ms White) and brandished his knife. He stabbed her. He didn’t hesitate.
“His motive was to get this car, to show off to his mates and potentially commit other crimes.”
The teen showed limited remorse and presented a lasting risk to the community, he added.
But the teen’s barrister Matthew Hynes pushed for the killer to serve half of a 12-year sentence and be released before he turned 25 because the murder was not premeditated.
“He does need a long period of supervision in the community,” he said.
The teen also pleaded guilty to car theft and three counts of stealing.
Justice Bowskill adjourned her sentencing decision tomorrow.
