A man has been handed a sentence after being arrested for ‘excessively’ kissing and fondling his partner during a flight. Reuben Jeremy Finn, 30, received his sentence on September 29th in relation to the charges stemming from an incident on an Air New Zealand flight in November 2024. Finn acknowledged the crime, which took place on a flight from Auckland to Nelson, New Zealand. His partner, Bronte LeLievre, also admitted to the acts and is set to be sentenced in November.
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Finn’s court appearance at Nelson District Court led to a punishment of 6 months of community detention and 12 months of intensive supervision. This verdict came after the couple’s disruptive behaviour on the domestic flight, which was witnessed by 48 other passengers and two flight attendants. Despite multiple requests to cease their public display of affection, Finn and LeLievre persisted, prompting their arrest. Finn even went as far as to put his hand inside LeLievre’s bra while on the flight.
The duo was charged with engaging in an indecent act in a public space and during the court proceedings, it was revealed that Finn faced additional charges including shoplifting, theft, and possession of methamphetamine utensils. The presiding Judge Garry Barkle highlighted Finn’s history of 21 previous convictions spanning from 2016 to 2024, painting a concerning picture of the offender’s past behaviour. Community detention, akin to a curfew, will confine Finn to his residence between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. local time, as part of his rehabilitation process.
Intensive supervision, a form of community-based rehabilitation sentence, was also imposed on Finn to support his reintegration into society and address his addiction issues. During the court proceedings, Finn’s lawyer, Steven Zindel, noted his client’s struggles with addiction and his apparent state of intoxication at the time of the incident. LeLievre, on the other hand, is awaiting her sentencing in November to determine the consequences of her involvement in the public display of affection that led to the couple’s arrest on the flight.
Efforts to obtain comments from involved parties such as Air New Zealand, the Nelson District Court, the New Zealand Police, and Finn’s legal representation were met with no immediate responses. Finn’s case sheds light on the consequences of disruptive behaviour in public spaces, particularly on flights where passengers’ comfort and safety are paramount. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting boundaries and adhering to societal norms even in unconventional settings like airplanes.