NSW: Lifer sentenced for 30 years for killing cousin

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2001
NSW: Lifer sentenced for 30 years for killing cousin

SYDNEY, April 20 AAP - A man jailed for life for the rape and murder of nurse Sandra
Hoare was today sentenced to 30 years for stabbing his cousin to death.

Vester Fernando, 31, pleaded guilty to murdering Brendan Fernando, his accomplice in
the murder of Ms Hoare, at Lithgow jail on September 22, 1999.

Both men had been sentenced to life in prison for murdering the 21-year-old nurse after
she had finished a shift at Walgett Hospital, in north-west NSW, on December 9, 1994.

The NSW Supreme Court heard Vester became angry with Brendan following the revelation
that he had lied in statements to police implicating him in Ms Hoare's murder.

Vester denied he had anything to do with the crime and blamed Brendan for his conviction
and subsequent life sentence.

He used a blade from a pair of scissors to stab Brendan in the face and chest, piercing
his heart, during a music lesson in the prison's auditorium.

Justice Rod Howie said sentencing Vester for the murder of his cousin was academic
considering he was never to be released for the murder of Ms Hoare.

However, he sentenced Vester to a maximum 30 years in jail with a minimum term of 22
years, beginning from September 22, 1999.

Had Vester not been serving a life sentence he would have been eligible for parole in 2021.

Outside court Ms Hoare's mother, Pauline Hoare, said she attended today's sentencing
to bring closure for her.

"Just to put a closure on the whole thing and to see if he was really sorry," she said.

AAP gl/nf/ns/de

KEYWORD: FERNANDO

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