By Rex Martinich AAP
A TEENAGER has been jailed for 16 years over Vyleen White’s “cowardly and callous” murder.
The teenager, who didn’t hesitate before fatally stabbing the grandmother in front of a young girl, was sentenced last week over the horrendous murder that sparked landmark law reforms.
Vyleen White was murdered by the boy, then aged 16, in a car park at Redbank Plains shopping centre in February 2024.
The 70-year-old’s death was a catalyst for the State Government’s controversial “adult crime, adult time” laws, ensuring juveniles face at least 20 years in custody for murder.
However, they are not retroactive, meaning the teen was sentenced under Queensland’s previous laws after earlier pleading guilty to murder.
Chief Justice Helen Bowskill described the boy’s actions as “cowardly and callous” when she handed down her sentence.
The teen – now 17 and who can’t be legally identified – not only took one life but destroyed many others when he murdered Ms White while she was holding up her hands and backing away, Justice Bowskill said.
The teen had approached Ms White before he demanded her car keys then inflicted a 17cm-deep knife wound that was fatal.
He stole Ms White’s 2009 Hyundai Getz hatchback and drove it to a nearby residential area where he showed it off to other teens.
“Taking Mrs White’s life has caused immense, indeed catastrophic pain and suffering to her family,” Justice Bowskill said.
Ms White’s husband Victor and his three daughters wept as they watched the sentencing via a video link to a nearby courtroom.
Justice Bowskill acknowledged the teen was remorseful and had spared Ms White’s family the trauma of going through a trial by pleading guilty.
Crown prosecutor Chris Cook pushed for a sentence of 17 to 18 years, saying the teen’s offending was significantly aggravated by him covering his face with a mask and the murder was witnessed by a young girl.
The teen was also on bail for armed robberies, including an incident where a man was injured with a knife.
The teen’s barrister Matthew Hynes had pushed for the killer to be released before he turned 25 because the murder was not premeditated.
He stared straight ahead and did not visibly react as his 16-year sentence was handed down.
The teen will be released from detention after serving 60 per cent of the 16 years.
He has already served one year and nine months on remand, leaving him likely to be released in late 2033.
