An alcoholic has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for killing his gay partner after a row at their boat home on the River Medway.

Kenneth Harman, also known was Clarke, was cleared of murder but found guilty of the manslaughter of 61-year-old Michael Castle.

Judge Michael Lawson, QC, told Harman: "I am conscious that while he lost his life, you have lost your companion and the way of life you both chose. It is on all sides a sorry tale."

The jury of seven women and five men took almost 13 hours to reach unanimous verdicts.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Harman, 55, killed Mr Castle with a single stab wound on The Impulse moored at Cannon Bridge in Tonbridge.

Harman maintained his innocence, claiming he had returned to the boat after walking his dog to find Mr Castle's body on February 15.

Jonathan Higgs, prosecuting, said Harman had a number of previous convictions dating back to the 1960s, including sexual offences.

Nicholas Valios, defending, applied for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

But Judge Michael Lawson, QC, said he would only adjourn sentence until 2pm today and had in mind imprisonment of "around the five-year mark".

Mr Valios said he hoped to persuade him to pass a lesser sentence.