Outrage at death of young couple
OUTRAGED relatives of a pregnant couple killed while walking their dogs — allegedly by a teenager on bail driving in a stolen car — have called for youth justice laws to be strengthened, saying “enough is enough”.
And the teenager charged with their murders could face a third charge, with detectives awaiting medical records relating to the unborn child.
Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field were walking their dogs near their home in Alexandra Hills, in Redland city, west of Brisbane, on Tuesday evening when an allegedly stolen car ran a red light and crashed into a truck before ploughing into them.
Kate, 31 and Matthew, 37, both died at the scene despite the frantic efforts of bystanders and emergency services.
The tragedy has reignited the debate around juvenile offender laws, with frustrated police saying the “catch and release” method of dealing with teens was not working.
Last night, Kate’s aunt and uncle, Danielle and Jason Leadbetter, visited the scene.
“(Kate) was just everything that is beautiful in this world,” Danielle said.
“So Queenslanders posting on social media, I’m reading it, you’re angry; let’s change the laws, take this anger and change it into something positive so it’s not your child that you are burying one day.
“I hope Annastacia Palaszczuk and our politicians are watching this and they change our laws … enough is enough.”
She described Kate, an interior designer who had only recently returned to work because of the coronavirus pandemic, as a “joyful” person.
“I remember Kate as my flower girl at my wedding. She was just so joyful,” she said.
It is believed the teenager was on bail for other driving offences when he allegedly stole a car and crashed into two other vehicles in separate incidents before hitting the couple. Detectives are now trying to trace the movements of a 17-year-old from Waterford West, who they allege stole a Toyota LandCruiser from a Cleveland home between 4pm and 5pm.