Danny Ferguson sentenced to jail on top of traditional Aboriginal spearing over manslaughter

An Oodnadatta man will spend at least 12 years behind bars before a traditional Aboriginal punishment of being speared in the legs for the manslaughter of his partner.

Danny Ferguson, 36, was found guilty of the manslaughter of partner, Serena Amos, in the outback South Australian town in July 2015.

Justice Anne Vanstone said Ferguson was a violent reoffender, and needed to be imprisoned to protect the community.

He will serve an additional 11-and-a-half years for a rape in the Northern Territory and receive a traditional punishment of being speared in the legs upon his eventual release.

During a sentencing submissions hearing on Tuesday, Ferguson's lawyer told Justice Vanstone his client had agreed to undergo the traditional punishment, on top of any court-imposed sentence.

Ferguson was originally charged with murder but was instead convicted of manslaughter.

During the trial, the jury heard Ms Amos died of renal failure due to 55 soft tissue injuries.

The court heard those injuries were likely from at least three beatings she suffered in the week she and Ferguson were camping.