AN ENGLISH tourist who stabbed a Scotsman to death at a NSW caravan park has been jailed.

Alexander Christian York received a five-year sentence for the manslaughter of Rudi Boa a year ago at the three-star Blowering Green Holiday Park in Tumut, 450km south-west of Sydney.

A jury in Wagga Wagga heard that Mr Boa and his girlfriend were on the first stop of a round-the-world holiday and were fruit picking in the area.

Their neighbour at the caravan park was York, who had been in Australia since 2005.

Although the trio got on well, they became embroiled in an argument about creationism versus evolution which escalated into a shouting-match in Tumut's Star Hotel.

All three were drunk and tempers later flared again at the 76-site caravan park where York was said to have attacked the couple, stabbing Mr Boa once with a kitchen knife.

York, who claimed he lashed out in self-defence after being attacked by Mr Boa, was found guilty of manslaughter but acquitted of murder.

Justice Adams referred to the "accidental nature" of the stabbing, adding: "I do not believe that he took aim but rather thrust out."

The judge said he had also taken into account the time York has already spent in prison and the distance from his own country and friends. He will be eligible for release in January, 2009.
 

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