A 17-year-old boy has been sentenced to 16 years in detention for the brutal murder of grandmother Vyleen White in a car park attack that shocked Australia and prompted significant legal reforms.
The Cowardly Attack That Changed Laws
The teenager, who was 16 at the time of the offence and cannot be named for legal reasons, fatally stabbed 70-year-old Vyleen White in February 2024 outside the Redbank Plains shopping centre west of Brisbane. The horrific incident was witnessed by a young girl who bravely sought help from bystanders amidst the terrifying scene.
Chief Justice Helen Bowskill described the boy's actions as 'cowardly and callous' during sentencing at Brisbane Supreme Court. The court heard how the teen quickly approached Mrs White, demanded her car keys, and then inflicted a 17cm-deep knife wound that proved fatal.
Catalyst for Legal Reform
Mrs White's tragic death became the catalyst for the Queensland Liberal National government's controversial 'adult crime, adult time' laws, which ensure juveniles face at least 20 years in custody for murder. However, these reforms are not retroactive, meaning the teen was sentenced under Queensland's previous legislation.
The court heard emotional testimony about the devastating impact on Mrs White's family. Her husband of 50 years, Victor, wept along with their three daughters as the sentencing unfolded via video link from a nearby courtroom.
'Taking Mrs White's life has caused immense, indeed catastrophic pain and suffering to her family,' Justice Bowskill stated. 'She was a person who mattered greatly to her family and her community. All lives matter. They are precious. They are not to be wasted by selfish and senseless acts of violence.'
Aftermath and Sentencing
Following the murder, the teenager stole Mrs White's 2009 Hyundai Getz hatchback and drove it to a nearby residential area where he showed it off to other teens. The court revealed he was on bail for armed robberies at the time of the murder, including an incident where a man was injured with a knife.
While Crown prosecutor Chris Cook pushed for a sentence of 17 to 18 years, citing significant aggravating factors including the wearing of a mask and the presence of a child witness, the teen's barrister Matthew Hynes argued for earlier release given the crime wasn't premeditated.
The teen, who stared straight ahead without visible reaction as his sentence was delivered, will be released after serving 60% of the 16-year term. With one year and nine months already served on remand, he's likely to be released in late 2033.
Justice Bowskill acknowledged the teen's remorse and his guilty plea, which spared Mrs White's family the trauma of a trial. The grandmother, who had recently celebrated her 70th birthday, was described as a devoted companion to her husband, assisting him with his worsening eyesight.
