Fineberg Gaoled For Five Years

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 44

Fineberg Gaoled For Five Years

<N«w Zealand Frew Aitoeiatfon) AUCKLAND, October 13. Neville Fineberg, aged 27, a sales* man, was today sentenced to five, years imprisonment by Mr Justice Hardie Boys on a charge of attempting to minder Wylie Hanby Roberts in the ketch South Pacific on the high seas on June 19.

A jury found him guilty on September 25. His Honour said he took fully into account the fact that lor far too lone Floeberg and Roberts were alone together, apart from Roberts's son Robby, and must have been under periodic stresses and strains. The accumulated effects of thesehadled to what finally happened between the two dten. , Fineberg had suffered privations which weakened both his body and his moral resolutions. The Court accepted that the incident had -occurred suddenly, but to draw a knife upon a. man with intent to kill him knd so nearly succeed was not something which could be regarded as calling for a minimal sentence. Floeberg's calls for help over the radio were a mitigating factor, although from one point of view they could be regarded as being in Fineberg's self interest His Honour said that in the circumstances it was not necessary for him to recom-

mend that Fineberg be deported. “Other proceedings may take you from us," he said. For Fineberg, Mr H. Fulton said that the two men must have suffered a substantial physical and mental ordeal after their privation and isolation. Fineberg’s intent, which the jury had found proved, was formed under severe strain and very soon spent itself. Afterwards Fineberg had made every effort to assist Roberts. He submitted that this was not a case for a heavy penalty because there was no likelihood of a recurrence In Fineberg’s ease and the penalty would have little or no deterrent effect bn any other person in the same peculiar situation. Roberto Remanded Wylie Hanby Roberta, aged 24, a salesman, wurenumded in custody untH October 20 when he appeared before Mr B. F. Rothwell, S.M., today. Roberts faced ato: application by the Queensland police for extradition to Brisbane on a charge of burgling the ketch South Pacific at Brisbane end stealing from it a quantity of fuel