"Manifestly inadequate" prison terms handed to two teenagers over a heinous home invasion on a former Australian rugby player will be appealed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Two boys - then aged 15 - broke into former Australian rugby player Toutai Kefu's Brisbane house armed with knives in the early hours of August 16, 2021.
During the home invasion, Mr Kefu suffered a life-threatening 25mm stab wound to his liver, his wife was cut to the bone by a curved blade and two of their children were injured in a confrontation with the boys.
Neighbour Ben Cannon tackled a teenager, detaining him until police arrived at the blood-splattered home that resembled a "war zone".
One boy was sentenced to eight years in prison and the other to seven years in Brisbane Supreme Court in June, with both to serve half their sentence before being released and no convictions recorded.
Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath on Wednesday announced she would appeal the sentences given to the two juvenile offenders after receiving advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"Appeals have been lodged on the grounds the sentences imposed were manifestly inadequate, having regard to the maximum penalty and the declaration that some of the offences were heinous," Ms D'Ath said in a statement.
Mr Cannon, who founded the victim's advocate group Voice for Victims after the crime, called for a system overhaul, saying the sentences were disappointing and claimed offenders' backgrounds were prioritised over victims.
Australian Associated Press
