Latest news with #BrisbaneSupremeCourt
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Daughter speaks out after teenage boy pleads guilty to Vyleen White murder in Queensland
The daughter of a woman who was stabbed to death has spoken out as the family wait to see if the teen responsible will be sentenced under Queensland 's new Adult Crime Adult Time laws. Vyleen White, 70, was killed by a 16-year-old boy outside Redbank Plains Town Square shopping centre, west of Brisbane, in February 2024. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Teen pleads guilty to murder. The teen, who is turning 18 later this year, was charged with murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle plus three counts of stealing. On Tuesday he pleaded guilty to all the charges in Brisbane Supreme Court. Queensland's Liberal National government introduced new Adult Crime Adult Time laws after winning the 2024 election. Under the new laws, juveniles can face adult sentences for more than 30 offences including attempted murder, rape, attempted rape, torture and aggravated attempted robbery. However, the law does not apply in this case because it only came into effect in December 2024 and does not apply retrospectively. The teenager faces a maximum of 10 years behind bars unless the court finds the offence to be particularly heinous. White's daughter, Cindy Micallef, said she hoped the judge would determine the crime to be serious enough to fall under the new law. 'This is open to interpretation by the judge so, let's just hope he finds this situation particularly heinous, because I know the rest of Queensland does,' she told Sunrise. 'Our family certainly do.' Micallef and her family have been vocal about reforming the state's youth crime system in the wake of their matriarch's death. She said a lot of young repeat offenders remain in the community and are continuing to 'raise hell'. 'You could be at the shops and there will be a group of them giving someone a hiding and they just keep doing this sort of stuff,' Micallef said. 'They get put away for a couple of weeks but then they're back out again.' Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said Micallef was inspiring and the new laws were driven by her family's tragedy. He said he would continue to strengthen youth justice laws and make changes as required. 'I spoke to (Micallef) last night, I spoke to her dad Victor this morning, they're two of the greatest Queenslanders you'll ever meet,' he told Sunrise. 'We're investing in early intervention for the first time in a long time and rehabilitation to try to turn kids around. 'Our mission is to make sure that we turn around that next cohort and make sure there are consequences for those who do continue to those kinds of crimes.' White's family members who were in court did not audibly react to the guilty pleas on Tuesday. 'Every aspect of our lives has changed, every aspect, and it's something you can't possibly imagine,' White's daughter Julie said. Prosecutor Chris Cook sought a pre-sentence report by November 3 and a November 12 sentencing. The teenager will remain in custody until his next court appearances.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Teen admits to murder in case that sparked reform
A teenager has pleaded guilty to murdering a grandmother in an attack that helped spark landmark law reforms. The 16-year-old boy was charged after Vyleen Joan White, 70, was fatally stabbed in a suspected carjacking outside a Redbank Plains shopping centre, west of Brisbane, in February 2024. Ms White's death helped inspire youth justice reforms, with Queensland's Liberal National government introducing controversial "adult time, adult crime" laws after winning the 2024 election. Tough youth justice laws ushered in by the LNP ensure juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences. Police alleged Ms White was killed during the theft of her 2009 model Hyundai Getz hatchback. The 16-year-old from the nearby suburb of Bellbird Park was charged with murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle plus three counts of stealing. The juvenile, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to all the charges in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday. Ms White's family members in court did not audibly react to the guilty pleas by the youth who appeared on Tuesday wearing a green jumper and black pants. Prosecutor Chris Cook sought a pre-sentence report by November 3 and a November 12 sentencing. Defence barrister Matthew Hynes agreed to the dates. Justice Lincoln Crowley remanded the teen in custody. A teenager has pleaded guilty to murdering a grandmother in an attack that helped spark landmark law reforms. The 16-year-old boy was charged after Vyleen Joan White, 70, was fatally stabbed in a suspected carjacking outside a Redbank Plains shopping centre, west of Brisbane, in February 2024. Ms White's death helped inspire youth justice reforms, with Queensland's Liberal National government introducing controversial "adult time, adult crime" laws after winning the 2024 election. Tough youth justice laws ushered in by the LNP ensure juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences. Police alleged Ms White was killed during the theft of her 2009 model Hyundai Getz hatchback. The 16-year-old from the nearby suburb of Bellbird Park was charged with murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle plus three counts of stealing. The juvenile, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to all the charges in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday. Ms White's family members in court did not audibly react to the guilty pleas by the youth who appeared on Tuesday wearing a green jumper and black pants. Prosecutor Chris Cook sought a pre-sentence report by November 3 and a November 12 sentencing. Defence barrister Matthew Hynes agreed to the dates. Justice Lincoln Crowley remanded the teen in custody. A teenager has pleaded guilty to murdering a grandmother in an attack that helped spark landmark law reforms. The 16-year-old boy was charged after Vyleen Joan White, 70, was fatally stabbed in a suspected carjacking outside a Redbank Plains shopping centre, west of Brisbane, in February 2024. Ms White's death helped inspire youth justice reforms, with Queensland's Liberal National government introducing controversial "adult time, adult crime" laws after winning the 2024 election. Tough youth justice laws ushered in by the LNP ensure juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences. Police alleged Ms White was killed during the theft of her 2009 model Hyundai Getz hatchback. The 16-year-old from the nearby suburb of Bellbird Park was charged with murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle plus three counts of stealing. The juvenile, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to all the charges in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday. Ms White's family members in court did not audibly react to the guilty pleas by the youth who appeared on Tuesday wearing a green jumper and black pants. Prosecutor Chris Cook sought a pre-sentence report by November 3 and a November 12 sentencing. Defence barrister Matthew Hynes agreed to the dates. Justice Lincoln Crowley remanded the teen in custody. A teenager has pleaded guilty to murdering a grandmother in an attack that helped spark landmark law reforms. The 16-year-old boy was charged after Vyleen Joan White, 70, was fatally stabbed in a suspected carjacking outside a Redbank Plains shopping centre, west of Brisbane, in February 2024. Ms White's death helped inspire youth justice reforms, with Queensland's Liberal National government introducing controversial "adult time, adult crime" laws after winning the 2024 election. Tough youth justice laws ushered in by the LNP ensure juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences. Police alleged Ms White was killed during the theft of her 2009 model Hyundai Getz hatchback. The 16-year-old from the nearby suburb of Bellbird Park was charged with murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle plus three counts of stealing. The juvenile, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to all the charges in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday. Ms White's family members in court did not audibly react to the guilty pleas by the youth who appeared on Tuesday wearing a green jumper and black pants. Prosecutor Chris Cook sought a pre-sentence report by November 3 and a November 12 sentencing. Defence barrister Matthew Hynes agreed to the dates. Justice Lincoln Crowley remanded the teen in custody.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Teen admits to murder in case that sparked reform
A teenager has pleaded guilty to murdering a grandmother in an attack that helped spark landmark law reforms. The 16-year-old boy was charged after Vyleen Joan White, 70, was fatally stabbed in a suspected carjacking outside a Redbank Plains shopping centre, west of Brisbane, in February 2024. Ms White's death helped inspire youth justice reforms, with Queensland's Liberal National government introducing controversial "adult time, adult crime" laws after winning the 2024 election. Tough youth justice laws ushered in by the LNP ensure juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences. Police alleged Ms White was killed during the theft of her 2009 model Hyundai Getz hatchback. The 16-year-old from the nearby suburb of Bellbird Park was charged with murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle plus three counts of stealing. The juvenile, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to all the charges in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday. Ms White's family members in court did not audibly react to the guilty pleas by the youth who appeared on Tuesday wearing a green jumper and black pants. Prosecutor Chris Cook sought a pre-sentence report by November 3 and a November 12 sentencing. Defence barrister Matthew Hynes agreed to the dates. Justice Lincoln Crowley remanded the teen in custody.
9 News
4 days ago
- 9 News
Man jailed after grandmother killed in Brisbane crash
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Yrsa Christoffersen was supposed to be enjoying a holiday with her grandchild. Instead the 73-year-old was undergoing an autopsy after Andrew Julian Stewart-Smith crashed into her car at high speed with a stolen vehicle before fleeing. The devastating aftermath was laid bare before Stewart-Smith, 29, was sentenced in Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday for his "reprehensible" behaviour. Yrsa Christoffersen was supposed to be enjoying a holiday with her grandchild. (Nine) Heartbreaking victim impact statements in a court packed with family members detailed the fallout after Stewart-Smith ploughed into the grandmother's car in September 2023. Yrsa was driving her daughter Maria Christoffersen to work when a Holden Commodore collided with her Suzuki Swift about 6.40am. She died in the crash and her daughter suffered serious injuries. "I woke up in a hospital bed, feeling pain like I had never known," Maria said in her victim impact statement. "I remember asking where my mum was and they wouldn't tell me. "The way they looked at me though, I knew. I could see it on their faces." Andrew Julian Stewart-Smith had been driving up to 114km/h in a 60km/h zone in a Holden with stolen registration plates when he hit the Christoffersens' vehicle, sending it airborne. (Nine) Stewart-Smith was later located by a police tracker dog in a storm drain, attempting to conceal himself by covering his body in mud. (Nine) Stewart-Smith had been driving up to 114km/h in a 60km/h zone in a Holden with stolen registration plates when he hit the Christoffersens' vehicle, sending it airborne. He fled the scene telling onlookers: "You don't understand, it's not my car". Stewart-Smith was later located by a police tracker dog in a storm drain, attempting to conceal himself by covering his body in mud. Yrsa's family was devastated, with a grandchild set to spend the week with her. "Instead my mum got to spend the week in the morgue and get an autopsy and my sister Maria got to lie damaged in a hospital bed," daughter Lorna Christoffersen said in her victim impact statement. Maria suffered jaw, rib, pelvic and spine fractures along with spleen and liver lacerations. Andrew Julian Stewart-Smith fled the scene telling onlookers: "You don't understand, it's not my car". (Nine) She lost up to 15 kilograms, was unable to chew food for months and had to blow into balloons to prevent her lungs collapsing. Stewart-Smith had 35 prior speeding offences since 2013. Defence counsel Angus Edwards said his client was ashamed of his actions. Stewart-Smith had pleaded guilty to vehicle theft, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and grievous bodily harm whilst excessively speeding. He also pleaded guilty to drug possession and child exploitation material offences. Police had located methamphetamine during subsequent searches along with 335 images of child exploitation material on his phone. Justice Tom Sullivan sentenced Stewart-Smith to eight-and-a-half years in jail. queensland Brisbane courts crime national CONTACT US
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Reprehensible': Man jailed, grandmother killed in crash
Yrsa Christoffersen was supposed to be enjoying a holiday with her grandchild. Instead, the 73-year-old was undergoing an autopsy after Andrew Julian Stewart-Smith crashed into her car at high speed with a stolen vehicle before fleeing. The devastating aftermath was laid bare before Stewart-Smith, 29, was sentenced in Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday for his 'reprehensible' behaviour. Heartbreaking victim impact statements in a court packed with family members detailed the fallout after Stewart-Smith ploughed into the grandmother's car in September 2023. Yrsa Christoffersen was driving her daughter Maria to work when a Holden Commodore collided with her Suzuki Swift about 6.40am. She died in the crash and her daughter suffered serious injuries. 'I woke up in a hospital bed, feeling pain like I had never known,' Maria Christoffersen said in her victim impact statement. 'I remember asking where my mum was and they wouldn't tell me.
