Emma Lovell: Australian man cleared of murdering British woman

At the hearing, attended only by the judge, it was stated that the second defendant, who could not be legally named because he was 17 years old at the time of the attack, admitted that he had not stabbed anyone.

The issue at issue was whether the other defendant, who was also 17 years old, knew he was carrying a knife.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to murder.

Mother-of-two Ms Lovell emigrated from Ipswich, Suffolk, in 2011 with her daughters and husband Lee, who was also injured in the attack.

The couple confronted the intruders in the front yard of their home after being alerted by their dog’s barking.

The second defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon, malicious acts and assault occasioning bodily harm against Mr Lovell, who was kicked and then stabbed in the back.

He was found guilty of robbery and assault but was cleared of more serious charges, including the alternative charge of manslaughter.

The prosecution had argued that he was responsible for Ms Lovell’s murder because the duo had intended to enter the house armed and had the potential to endanger human life.

But the teenager’s defense team said there was no evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that he had knowledge of the knife.

The case was heard by only one judge because the issue of youth crime was a key debate in last weekend’s state government election and it was feared it could prejudice the jury.

The Liberal National Party came to power in Queensland with a campaign promising tougher sentences for children under the slogan “adult crime, adult time”.

Judge Michael Copley remanded the man in custody pending a pre-sentence report in early December.

Defense lawyer Laura Reece told the court her client may be eligible for release soon, given he has been in custody since the incident almost two years ago.