Bouncer jailed for fatal headlock

A BOUNCER who killed a man by holding him in a headlock for eight minutes outside an Adelaide pub was jailed for four years today.

Paul John Edwards, 30, of Fulham, was convicted of the manslaughter of 25-year-old Domenic Esposito.

The South Australian Supreme Court was told Mr Esposito had been evicted from the Ramsgate Hotel in Henley Beach in February 2005, along with two friends, when a fight broke with security guards.

Edwards, who had been repeatedly punched in the scuffle, grabbed Mr Esposito in a headlock and forced him to the floor.

Despite calls from onlookers to stop, Edwards continued to hold Mr Esposito until he lost consciousness and died of asphyxiation.

Justice Michael David said the bouncer's actions were "totally out of proportion'' with the threat he faced from the men.

Justice David said Edwards had held Mr Esposito for an "inordinately long period of time''.

He said Edwards was remorseful and had a clean record but he could not suspend the sentence because the crime was too serious.

Edwards will be eligible for parole in 18 months.

Outside court, family friend Joanne Lawless said Mr Esposito's family had been devastated by his death.

Mr Esposito's partner had given birth to their child only months before he died.

"It has been devastating for the family - it has torn them apart,'' she said.

Source: Daily Telegraph