Man Who Killed Canberra Punk Identity In 2013 Has Been Sentenced To Prison

The housemate of Canberra punk-scene identity Nicholas Sofer-Schreiber, aka the 'Ginger Ninja', has been sentenced to prison for murdering Sofer-Schreiber in 2013.

As The Canberra Times reports, Christopher Navin was today sentenced to 12 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 6 years.

As Navin has already served some time he will be eligible for release in February 2020.

Navin was found guilty of killing Sofer-Schreiber, stabbing him 73 times on Boxing Day in 2013 at his home in Lyneham.

Last November, Navin did not deny killing Sofer-Schreiber, but pleaded not guilty by way of mental impairment.

Though Navin was diagnosed with schizophrenia before Sofer-Schreiber's death, Justice Burns said that Navin's actions were premeditated. 

"Were it not for mental illness you undoubtedly would have been convicted of murder," Burns said.

Sofer-Schreiber's family have since expressed their disappointment with Navin's sentence. 

Speaking outside of court today, Sofer-Schreiber's cousin Catherine McDonald said, "Nic was a harmless, kind and gentle person who would not have been able to defend himself when Chris Navin entered his home".

"However, it's Nic's life more than his death that we hope people will remember and we will endeavour to keep the memory of Nic alive and continue to support Nic's love of music through the annual Gingerfest Music Festival."

Justice Burns has advised that Navin be supervised for the rest of his life to ensure his mental health does not worsen.