A central Queensland man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for killing a man in 2019 over unpaid rent.
Arthur James Spencer, 32, was originally charged with the murder of Edward Bashford, 56, but today pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the Supreme Court in Rockhampton.
The court heard Spencer began renting a downstairs space of a home in Depot Hill in 2018, before moving upstairs early the following year with his then partner and her two children.
Justice Graeme Crow told the court Mr Bashford then began renting the downstairs area for $100 a week, which was to include food and clothing purchased from second-hand stores.
Spencer later became frustrated when Mr Bashford did not pay rent for several weeks and owed $300.
The court heard that on April 15, 2019, Spencer and Mr Bashford travelled to and from the bank twice for Mr Bashford to withdraw money for the rent.
The money was not withdrawn, however, and over the course of two days Spencer twice assaulted the older man, who was considerably smaller than him.
"You assaulted a physically inferior man twice your age who you knew was an alcoholic," Justice Crow said to Spencer.
"They are vicious assaults … his face on either side was pulverised by you.
"[He] was badly beaten about the face and head."
The court heard Spencer then found Mr Bashford at their home not breathing on the night of April 16 and told his partner to call triple-0.
Spencer performed chest compressions on him until emergency services arrived.
Paramedics continued trying to revive Mr Bashford but he was pronounced dead later that evening.
Justice Crow told the court the pathologist report listed internal head injuries and brain damage as the cause of death.
'Genuine remorse'
The court heard that Spencer had known Mr Bashford for 10 years at the time of the incident.
"A man has lost his life, a man you've known for more than a decade who was once your friend, over $300 — it's shocking," Justice Crow said.
"That's why the [Queensland] government is at pains to inform people that one punch to the brain can kill someone."
Defence lawyer Scott Moon told the court Spencer fully accepted his actions and lived with "regret".
"[He] asked me to relay his sincere apologies to the family and his deep regret for what occurred that day," Mr Moon said.
Mr Moon said Spencer cooperated with police, conducting multiple interviews, though he did make some admissions that were false.
The court heard Spencer's distress following the incident was "made obvious" to police officers.
"In this case I accept this is genuine remorse," Justice Crow said.
Though Spencer was sentenced to nine years in prison, the court heard as he had been in custody for almost four years, he was eligible for parole from today.
Mr Moon told the court Spencer planned to relocate to North Queensland when released.
