Two teenagers who attacked a former Wallabies star and his family in a home invasion that resembled a “war zone” have been sentenced.
The boys – then aged 15 – were carrying knives including a sickle when they broke into ex-Australian rugby player Toutai Kefu’s house in the Brisbane suburb of Coorparoo in the early hours of August 16, 2021.
Mr Kefu suffered a 25mm stab wound into his liver while his wife Rachel was cut to the bone by the sickle in the ensuing confrontation.
Their son Joshua was cut as he tried to intervene and daughter Madison was also injured.
Mrs Kefu still suffers from residual disabilities and mental health stress from the attack, Brisbane Supreme Court was told.
“Police took photographs of the scene … they showed blood splashed and smeared in substantial quantities on the floor and on the walls,” Justice Peter Davis said at Thursday’s sentencing.
“It frankly looks like a war zone.
“But we know that it is a result of your violent invasion and attack upon the occupants of a family home in a quiet Brisbane suburban street.”
The court had been told Mrs Kefu woke about 3am to the sound of car doors before finding the boys inside the home.
The boys told her to “f—*ing shut up” and demanded car keys, threatening to kill her.
Mr Kefu was awoken by screams and told the teens to leave, with the couple gesturing to car keys in a bowl.
In the ensuing confrontation Mr Kefu charged at the intoxicated 15-year-olds with a bar stool, the court had been told.
A neighbour – Ben Cannon – went to the family’s aid, tackling one teen and pinning him down until police arrived.
The boys – who cannot be named for legal reasons – had earlier pleaded guilty to charges including intentionally causing grievous bodily harm relating to the home invasion and the theft of a car from another property the same morning.
One boy was sentenced to eight years in custody and the other seven.
Justice Davis said they must serve half their sentences before they can be released.
One boy is set to be released early next year due to time already served.
No convictions were recorded.
