Prosecutor to examine Australian cruise ship death

SYDNEY, July 26 (Reuters) An Australian coroner said today there was enough evidence to convict ''known persons'' in relation to the death of a mother found naked and overdosed on a ''date rape'' drug on a South Pacific cruise ship.

The coroner's inquest into the 2002 death of Dianne Brimble, 42, on the P&O liner Pacific Sky has shocked Australia with its graphic descriptions of her treatment by a group of men she met on the ship.

Brimble died aboard the cruise liner after ingesting a toxic cocktail of alcohol and the illicit drug fantasy, the inquest was told. During the inquest, eight men of interest were identified -- four of whom shared the cabin where Brimble died.

New South Wales state Coroner Jacqueline Milledge ended the inquest on Thursday, saying there was evidence capable of satisfying a jury that ''known persons'' had committed indictable offences, reported Australian Associated Press from the court.

''There is a reasonable prospect a jury would convict the known persons in relation to the cause of death of Mrs Brimble,'' said Milledge, who referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The lawyer assisting the inquest told the coroner there was enough evidence for possible criminal charges against two unnamed people. He said the possible charges could relate to supplying a person with a drug and not rendering a person assistance.

The DPP will determine whether charges are laid.

Brimble saved for two years to take a South Pacific cruise with her then 12-year-old daughter, her sister and friends.

But within hours of boarding the Pacific Sky she was lying naked and dead in the cabin of four men whose main concern, according to evidence at the inquest, was that the death of a woman one described as a ''dog'' had ruined their holiday.

The inquest was told that Brimble had sex with a man in his cabin after she was given fantasy. When a naked Brimble defecated and began frothing at the mouth she was put in a shower and dressed before medical help was called.

The inquest heard that Brimble died of an overdose of gamma hydroxybutyrate, a ''date rape'' drug also known as fantasy, mixed with a high blood alcohol level.

The inquest heard from passengers that a group of men were ''cruising for sex'' and a night shift manager on board said the incidents of nudity and public sex on board P&O cruise ships happened up to 20 times a night.

P&O has since said that unruly passengers would be kicked off future cruises.

REUTERS AGL VV1538