A 21-YEAR-OLD from Dartford who strangled a man to death after kissing him, could be free from jail in just 13 months.

James Foley of Watling Street denied murdering 26-year-old Fathi Bouchareb in a Soho park but was instead found guilty of manslaughter at the Old Bailey on December 1.

He was jailed for three and a half years but will only serve half his sentence before being released on licence - meaning he could be free by January 2012.

Foley, who also denied manslaughter, told the court he acted in self defence after Mr Bouchareb wrestled him to the ground after stealing his watch and money in the early hours of March 25.

He said he met Algerian-born Mr Bouchareb in the street when he left Soho nightclub Spearmint Rhino, before kissing the victim and going to a garden in Bedford Square where he claims he was robbed.

Passing sentence, Judge Christopher Moss QC said: “It seems to me I am bound to accept and proceed on the basis that he approached you and his motive in doing so was to steal from you.

“You were on your own account worse for wear in drink, however you asserted in evidence you knew what you were doing.

“I accept you were provoked by the deceased.

“The deceased on the other hand suffered injuries to his head and body which are well documented and can only have been caused by you.

“Your final act was to strangle Bouchareb to death with his own scarf.

“What you in fact did went beyond the bounds of reasonable self defence.”