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Airbnb housemate admits killing man in Brighton East

By Amber Wilson

A former chef has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a man who was found face down in a chocolate cake with choke-hold-like injuries after a rental dispute at an Airbnb property.

Craig Levy, 37, on Monday appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria, where he admitted killing Ramis Jonuzi, 36, on October 25 last year at the house in Alexander Street, Brighton East.

Ramis Jonuzi.

Ramis Jonuzi.

His plea of guilty to manslaughter came after the charge was downgraded from murder.

A pathologist previously told a committal hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court that Mr Jonuzi had suffered a broken nose, bruises and abrasions to his face, and injuries indicating sustained pressure to his neck.

The cause of death was deemed to be compression of the neck, aggravated by blood in the lungs.

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He agreed Mr Jonuzi may have died from a "choke hold", where pressure is applied with an arm around a person's throat.

The court was also told Levy called police seeking Mr Jonuzi be removed from his home after a dispute over rent at the Airbnb house turned violent.

The victim had a "modest" amount of the drug ice in his system, the pathologist added.

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When police arrived, they found Mr Jonuzi lifeless and face down in a chocolate cake in the front yard.

The trio at the scene – Levy, along with co-accused Ryan Smart and Jason Colton - were arrested and initially charged with murder.

Smart pleaded guilty to manslaughter in May while Mr Colton is yet to plead.

A house in Alexander Street, Brighton East where Mr Jonuzi died.

A house in Alexander Street, Brighton East where Mr Jonuzi died.Credit: Joe Armao

Levy, a former Brighton East resident, is due to return to court on September 17 for a pre-sentence plea hearing.

AAP

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Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/victoria/airbnb-housemate-admits-killing-man-in-brighton-east-20180806-p4zvsr.html