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 Brimble: Silvestri escapes jail 

Brimble: Silvestri escapes jail

01 Jul, 2009 06:11 PM
Leo Silvestri, who claimed his cruising holiday was ruined by the death of Dianne Brimble, will not serve time in prison in relation to her death after being sentenced today to a 15-month suspended sentence for concealing a serious offence.

Mrs Brimble died in September 2002 on board the cruise ship Pacific Sky from toxic levels of alcohol and the drug GHB, also known as fantasy.

Her body was found in a cabin belonging to Silvestri, Ryan Kuchel and another man, who were also charged after a 16-month inquest into Ms Brimble's death.

Last week, Silvestri's travelling companion Ryan Kuchel received an 18-month good behaviour bond.

Both men had pleaded guilty to concealing a serious offence - the supply of drugs to Mrs Brimble - and agreed to give evidence against Mark Wilhelm, who is facing manslaughter charges in September.

Silvestri has a criminal record in South Australia and did not show any emotion.

District Court Judge Greg Hosking said while Silvestri was more closely involved with Mrs Brimble, he was not being sentenced for that, or for the callous remarks about her after her death.

He said he took Silvestri's prior convictions and a suspended sentence dating back nine years into consideration.

"The offender did not only not tell police about the supply of GBH or fantasy, but he actually told them a falsehood,'' Judge Hosking said.

"Silvestri was actually involved in sexual activity with Mrs Brimble although strangely, in my view, he claims not to recall that occurred.

"He appears to have given a false version to police, motivated by a desire to protect (another man).''

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