The grieving family of a grandmother who lost her life in a tragic stabbing incident, which led to significant legal reforms, expressed their anguish and the profound impact of the attack.

In February 2024, Vyleen White was fatally stabbed during a carjacking outside a shopping center, a crime witnessed by a young girl that sent shockwaves throughout Queensland.

The death of the 70-year-old prompted the Queensland Liberal-National government to implement the controversial “adult crime, adult time” legislation, which allows juveniles to be sentenced to life for murder.

Today, the Queensland Supreme Court held the sentencing of a 17-year-old boy who had pleaded guilty to murdering White during the harrowing incident at the Redbank Plains shopping center, located west of Brisbane.

The teenager committed the fatal stabbing while attempting to steal White’s 2009 Hyundai Getz hatchback.

The teen appeared calm as heartbreaking victim impact statements were heard by Chief Justice Helen Bowskill in a court packed by White’s family and supporters.

White’s husband, who was in the gallery with his three daughters, expressed his anger over the “injustice” of his wife’s murder.

“My wife and partner of 50 years is gone, and with her a part of me is gone,” Victor White said in a victim impact statement read by the prosecution.

The victim’s daughter Denise broke down as she spoke in court, describing how her life had changed since losing her “anchor”.

“The things that used to bring me joy … now they’re totally meaningless,” she said in her impact statement.

The LNP campaigned hard on youth crime following White’s death and introduced tough laws after winning the 2024 election.

The changes mean juveniles face adult jail terms for serious offences, including life terms for murder.

But the laws are not retrospective, meaning White’s attacker could spend significantly less than 10 years behind bars.

Crown prosecutor Chris Cook pushed for the maximum available sentence, saying the teen’s offending was significantly aggravated as the murder was witnessed by a young girl.

“There was a lack of hesitation. (The teen) had other options for his aim of stealing car keys,” he said.

Justice Bowskill heard the teen, aged 16 at the time, had been drinking vodka and committing “brazen thefts” of alcohol with other teens before the attack.

The teen was on bail for a violent armed robbery and admitted entering the shopping centre with the intent of stealing a car, the court was told.

“He had a black hoodie. He had a surgical mask. He was covering his face,” Cook said.

“He moved towards (Ms White) and brandished his knife. He stabbed her. He didn’t hesitate.

“His motive was to get this car, to show off to his mates and potentially commit other crimes.”

The teen showed limited remorse and presented a lasting risk to the community, he added.

But the teen’s barrister Matthew Hynes pushed for the killer to serve half of a 12-year sentence and be released before he turned 25 because the murder was not premeditated.

“He does need a long period of supervision in the community,” he said.

The teen also pleaded guilty to car theft and three counts of stealing.

Justice Bowskill adjourned her sentencing decision tomorrow.