American who killed Australian tourist in Pattaya bar fight has murdered before

The American man who killed an Australian tourist in a brutal bar fight in Pattaya has murdered before.

Jose Manuel Polanco Jr, has been charged with the manslaughter of Australian Benjamin Robb who died after the pair fought in the Ruby Club on Soi 6, has a previous conviction for murder.

According to news.com.au, Polanco was charged with second degree murder by North Miami Police in 1993, when he was still a teenager.

According to court documents Polanco killed Michael Cooper following a dispute over $20.

“[He] told detectives where he disposed of the murder weapon, which was not recovered, and where he disposed of his own bloody clothing, which was recovered,” news.com.au cite court documents as stating.

Polanco was sentenced to 12 years in prison but was released after two years when his charge was downgraded to manslaughter with a firearm. He then spent the next five years on probation.

On Monday, police in Pattaya released details of the incident which resulted in the death of Benjamin Robb.

Pol Col Apichai Krobpetch said Robb picked a waitress up by the neck until her feet were off the ground.

Polanco took exception and began punching, kicking and stamping on the head of Robb until he was unconscious.

Robb was taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital where died in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Polanco, who handed himself in to police, has admitted punching Robb “4 or 5 times” but says he acted in self defence.

The case is due to go to court later this month.

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