Arno Engels said he gave Tony Scarrott a slap when he came home drunk.
Engels, 40, originally from Namibia, was half the age of 80-year-old Mr Scarrott and was renting a room in his Worthing home.
He told police much-loved Tony Scarrott fell and hit his head on September 11 last year.
He died three days later in hospital after family agreed to withdraw life support.
“I’m holding myself guilty for what happened,” Engels told police.
Engels, who set up a drug rehabilitation service in his native Namibia, changed his story and confessed.
He told police they argued over who was getting the chip shop dinner. “I gave him a slap and he was out cold,” Engels said.
Tony suffered a deep cut to his head and a broken neck. His family agreed to turn off his life support after three days in intensive care.
Lewes Crown Court, sitting in Hove, heard the men had a volatile, platonic relationship with frequent arguments.
Engels told police they were both alcoholics and cocaine users. Mr Scarrott accused Engels of taking his money.
During one argument, neighbours described hearing Engels shout: “I would hit you if you weren’t elderly.”
Engels showed no reaction when he was jailed for two years and four months after admitting manslaughter.
Her Honour Judge Christine Henson KC told Engels he had taken advantage of Mr Scarrott’s kindness and generosity.
He hit his elderly landlord out of frustration and a loss of temper.
“Having arrived in the UK around 18 months before his death, you began renting a room from him following a chance meeting.
“The relationship was at time tempestuous fuelled by mutual use of alcohol and Class A drugs.”
The judge said Mr Scarrott was scared of Engels.
It is expected Engels will be deported after serving at least half his sentence in prison.
Tony’s sister Sandra Scarrott said she desperately missed her brother.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, she said: “The loss of someone you hold dear is never easy, but happening like this is horrible.
“Tony wasn’t elderly or frail. On his 80th birthday he went jet skiing and abseiling in Spain.
“He wasn’t your average 80-year-old. He was full of life and would have carried on for many years.
“He lived for his friends and the stage. I fear this generous and loving nature made him vulnerable.
“This angers me. He didn’t deserve to have his kindness exploited.
“I miss my brother and feel so lonely knowing he is not with us any more and I feel desperately sad his life ended the way it did.”
Tony was a member of the Max Miller Appreciation Society and regularly welcomed celebrity visitors including June Brown, who played Dot Cotton in EastEnders.
John Cammegh KC for the Crown said Engels was approaching his 40th birthday when he met Tony Scarrott in September 2024.
“Tony Scarrott was known as a happy-go-lucky, gregarious and generous man.”
Two months before his death, Tony needed an overnight stay in hospital after suffering a hand injury.
He told friends Engels had slammed his hand in a door during an argument.
Friends described Engels as overbearing and controlling.
Engels described their relationship as a “shit throwing contest.”
“We were alcoholics, horrible companions when we were drinking,” he told police.
Neighbours said they heard noises like furniture being moved around after Tony arrived back at the flat on September 11.
Engels had dragged him up the stairs. He made a 999 call just before 8pm. Engels told the emergency operator: “My landlord is 80.
“He fell over and hit his head on the corner of the table. He’s conscious but I don’t know for how long.”
He claimed Tony had thrown a glass at him.
In the same call he said: “Because I told him to leave me alone but he didn’t stop.”
Tony was bleeding profusely from a deep head wound, the court heard. Paramedics diagnosed cardiac arrest and called for police to attend.
Engels was arrested on suspicion of GBH and released on bail.
A coffee table in the flat was stained with blood.
After hearing Tony had died, Engels got drunk and went to a train station where he was reported acting suspiciously.
Police were called and he told officers: “I need to go to the police station. I told them I pushed him over but it was a slap.
“He was the best mate in the world, I want to come clean. I told my story but I actually gave him a slap and he was out cold.
“I didn’t mean it but he was in my space.”
Engels was arrested on suspicion of murder and interviewed.
He told police the argument was over who was getting fish and chips.
“I stood up and gave him a slap. I lost control. I didn’t hit him over the head, I didn’t hit him with a fist, but I did slap him.
“He fell down and hit his head,” Engels told police.
Detective Inspector Amanda Zinyama, of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: “This has been a tragic and distressing case particularly for Tony’s family and friends and our thoughts remain with them.”
Engels is known for his work in rehabilitation and recovery services at Usakos in Namibia.
His family said he moved to the UK on a three-year working visa to join a recovery service in Brighton.
The family described him as “a kind and passionate person who has made a positive impact on many people’s lives.”
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