A teenager has been cleared of murdering a Suffolk mum who was stabbed to death during a Boxing Day break-in in Australia. 

41-year-old Emma Lovell was killed in North Lakes, Queensland, while fending off intruders in 2022.

Originally from Hasketon, Mrs Lovell lived in Ipswich with her husband Lee, and two daughters before the family moved to Australia in 2011.

Two teenagers were arrested accused of her murder following a break-in at their home on Boxing Day 2022.

One of the teenagers, who was 17 at the time of the attack, appeared before Brisbane's Supreme Court.

His trial was not held in front of a jury as it took place close to state elections. 

Justice Michael Copley found him not guilty of murder on Thursday and also not guilty on a charge of malicious act with intent and unlawful wounding. 

However the man was found guilty of burglary and assault. 

Justice Copley said: "I am not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was a party to this murder."

The court heard Mrs Lovell and her husband Lee had attempted to fend off the intruders after they had been woken by their dogs barking at about 11.30pm.

Mr Lovell was injured during a “physical struggle directly outside the front door” which then moved to the front lawn, where his wife was fatally stabbed.

Mrs Lovell died of a single stab wound to her heart and one man, who cannot be named as he was under 18 at the time of the attack, was jailed for 14 years after pleading guilty to her murder.