Man admits killing Airbnb guest over unpaid bill

A man has admitted to an Australian court that he choked an Airbnb guest to death over an unpaid bill.

Ramis Jonuzi, 36, had been subletting a room from Jason Colton in Melbourne in October.

Colton was also a tenant in the house, which was shared with two other men.

He had initially rented it for three nights but then extended this by a week.

When the week ended without the AUS$210 (£112) rent being paid by Mr Jonuzi, Colton responded with violence.

A jury at Victoria's Supreme Court heard that he had thrown Mr Jonuzi against a wall and choked him with his arm.

He had punched Mr Jonuzi unconscious, according to prosecutor Mark Gibson.

Following Mr Jonuzi's death, he admitted manslaughter but has denied murder.

Colton, 42, had told police he only wanted to make Mr Jonuzi pass out but Mr Gibson says Colton knew his actions were likely to be fatal, or at least cause serious injury.

If Colton is found guilty of murder, he could face a life sentence but he would only face a maximum of 20 years if the jury accepts that his crime was manslaughter.

The trial continues.