Mark Wilhelm is a free man at last

ALMOST eight years after the death of Dianne Brimble, the judge's words must have been music to Mark Wilhelm's ears: "Finally it has come to an end."

It's over ... Mark Wilhelm leaving court with his legal team / Pic: Stephen Cooper

ALMOST eight years after the death of Dianne Brimble, the judge's words must have been music to Mark Wilhelm's ears: "Finally it has come to an end. Hopefully you can get on with the rest of your life, as best as you can."

But while Wilhelm walked out of the Supreme Court yesterday convicted of drug supply but not punished any further, the saga is not over. Former deputy state coroner Jacqueline Milledge will later this year reopen the long-running inquest into Ms Brimble's 2002 cruise ship death. The Brisbane mother-of-three died from the effects of the drug GHB - also known as fantasy - on the first night of the cruise.

Ms Brimble was on the cruise with her daughter Tahlia, her sister Alma Wood and her niece Kari-Ann.

No witnesses will be called, Ms Milledge will just take submissions on what recommendations, if any, should be made.

The news was a relief for Ms Brimble's family, who have agitated for formal recommendations to be made about the cruise ship industry.

"Finally something good comes out of the last few years," Ms Brimble's former husband Mark Brimble told The Daily Telegraph.

In handing down his sentence, Justice Howie noted Wilhelm's suffering and sorrow at the death of the woman he had met that first night of the Pacific Sky cruise. A counsellor's report revealed Wilhelm had been suicidal, viewing himself as "bad, worthless, stupid and incompetent".

"The death of [Ms Brimble] has intensified those thoughts, adding to his feelings of shame and sorrow," grief counsellor Peter Hunt said.

Justice Howie said Wilhelm had supplied the drug to a "consenting adult and taken the drug himself".

"[Ms Brimble took the drug] under the influence of alcohol and therefore, in no way was the accused responsible for the effects of the drug on Ms Brimble," Justice Howie said.

The supply, while still serious, was on the "lowest rung" of such crimes and Wilhelm had already suffered "significant" mental anguish.

"I am entitled to take into account not only the years of public humiliation of the offender but also the consequences of that on him," Justice Howie said.

Mr Brimble said the family was disappointed and frustrated.

"The humiliation that [Wilhelm] had to endure had nothing to do with the family," he said.

Wilhelm's barrister George Thomas said the rule of law prevailed and the sentence was correct.

"Look, there are no smiling faces here, you know what I mean?" Mr Thomas said.