A court in Ho Chi Minh City has sentenced a Vietnamese man to life in prison for murdering an Australian who the defendant claimed raped him.

Quach Phuoc Ho Tay, 23, told the court on Tuesday that he met the Australian man online and their relationship had started from there.

Tay said he initially agreed to have sex in exchange for a trip abroad, but told Alex to stop after he was tied up with electric wire and duct tape.

VN Express cited Tay as saying he felt “so much pain and shame”.

Tay admitted to attacking the Australian and strangling him to death after being untied, but denied intending to kill him.

Tay was also convicted of stealing Alex’s bank card and other possessions following the incident.