A Queensland teenager who killed a young couple and their unborn child has failed in his attempt to have his 10-year sentence reduced.
Queensland’s Court of Appeal has also dismissed the attorney-general’s appeal against the teen’s jail term, which pushed for a sentence of up to 14 years.
Drunk and high on cannabis, the teen was driving a stolen four-wheel-drive when he ploughed into Matthew Field and six months’ pregnant partner Kate Leadbetter while they were walking their dogs southeast of Brisbane on Australia Day 2021.
The teen, who cannot be named because he was 17 at the time, was sentenced to 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to a string of charges including two counts of manslaughter.
However, the teen will be eligible for release after serving six years.
The families of Mr Field, 37, and Ms Leadbetter, 31, were bitterly disappointed by what they viewed as the leniency of the sentence, describing it as “grossly inadequate”.
Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman signed a notice of appeal lodged by the director of public prosecutions in June 2022.
She said there were grounds for appeal given the judge determined the manslaughter offence was heinous, meaning the sentence could have been more than 10 years.
However, as family and supporters of Mr Field and Ms Leadbetter looked on, the appeal was dismissed on Tuesday.
The teen’s application for leave to appeal against his sentence was also refused.
© AAP 2023
