last updated: Friday 3 July 2009, 21:30pm

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Barman jailed for drinking game which killed teen

A German barman has been jailed for serving at least 44 shots of tequila which killed a 16-year-old boy during a faked drinking contest.

The 28-year-old gave himself glasses of water, but served the teenager with alcohol during the February 2007 drinking bout.

After about an hour the youngster fell into a coma and he died five weeks later.

The bartender, who admitted his guilt, was sentenced to three years and five months in jail for causing grievous bodily harm with fatal consequences.

Two other bar staff who were involved in tricking the dead teenager were convicted at an earlier trial of causing grievous bodily harm.

They were sentenced to receive social training for ten months, while a third bartender at that trial was acquitted.

The case triggered a national debate over teenage alcohol abuse and the danger of 'flat-rate' binge-drinking parties where customers pay a one-off entry fee and are served unlimited strong spirits all night.

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