Jail term slashed for thug who killed boarder over unpaid rent at Brighton East AirBnB house
A man who, together with two housemates, killed a boarder over an unpaid bill at their Brighton East AirBnB house, may be out of jail early next year after successfully appealing his jail term for manslaughter.
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A vicious thug who helped kill his housemate because of $210 of unpaid rent has had his jail term slashed and could be out in March next year
Craig Jonathon Levy was originally sentenced to seven years and six months for his role in Ramis Jonuzi’s manslaughter in October 2017, with a non-parole period of four years and six months.
But he appealed and will now serve only five years and six months, with a minimum of three years and six months.
Levy, now aged 38, and housemates Ryan Smart and Jason Rohan Colton were all living at the Alexander St, Brighton East home they shared.
Mr Jonuzi, who was 36, had rented a room via AirBnB and had been asked to move out over an unpaid $210 bill.
On October 25, 2017 an argument broke out about the money and the trio attacked Mr Jonuzi in the living room.
He was kicked and punched until he lost consciousness and then carried outside where the bashing continued.
As part of the vicious assault Levy elbowed Mr Jonuzi in the ribs so hard he hurt himself, while the others choked and repeatedly hit the victim in his face.
After noticing neighbours watching, Levy went inside to call police but did nothing to stop the sustained assault on the helpless man.
When officers arrived they found Mr Jonuzi lifeless and face down in chocolate cake in the front yard.
Ambulance paramedics tried to save his life but he died from compression of the neck and blunt-force trauma to the head.
All three attackers were arrested and remanded.
Levy was jailed in September 2018 to a minimum of four years and six months but appealed the severity of his sentence.
Earlier this month Appeal Judges agreed the punishment was too harsh, knocking two years off his total time and removing a year from his non-parole period.
They concluded Levy was co-operative with police after being arrested, his role in the assault was less than the other two men and he deserved a sentence discount.
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Smart was jailed in October 2017 for nine years with a minimum of six years.
Colton, who initiated the assault and carried out most of the violence, originally pleaded not guilty to murder but eventually admitted manslaughter.
He was sentenced last year to 11 years in jail and must serve at least eight years behind bars.