Man killed best friend in bondage session

A MAN who killed his best friend when a homosexual bondage session went wrong was jailed for three years at the Old Bailey yesterday.

James Duffy, 60, bound the feet of Frank Reilly, 44, then tied his hands behind his back and finally wrapped flex three times around his neck.

Brian Barker QC, for the prosecution, said: 'The trussing up was consistent with semi-strangulation which apparently heightens sexual sensation and pleasure. This was a high-risk homosexual activity which went tragically wrong.'

Duffy went to police and confessed to the killing in January. Mr Reilly's naked body was found at his home in Canning Town, east London.

At first Duffy said that he had been angered when Mr Reilly, his friend of 20 years, had appeared naked before him and asked him to tie him up and have sex with him, and that in his rage had lost control and killed him.

Hubert Dunn QC, for the defence, said Duffy had been too proud to admit that they had been having homosexual bondage sessions for at least two years. What happened had been at Mr Reilly's invitation. He added that the men's friendship had been unaffected when Mr Reilly's former wife went to live with Duffy.

Duffy, also of Canning Town, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. A charge of murder was withdrawn.