A man has been formally charged with manslaughter following a fatal assault that happened in Swindon 13 years ago. On 1 April 2013, Sam Rees, then 27, was attacked in Old Town, Swindon, resulting in a severe head injury. The assault left him requiring full-time care until his death in December 2023. Wiltshire Police reopened the investigation, leading to the charge against Abuzer Erdem, 40, of Ferndale Road, Swindon.
Background Of The Assault
During the original 2013 attack, Mr Rees suffered a grievous head injury. Abuzer Erdem was previously jailed for 12 months for inflicting grievous bodily harm related to the case. Mr Rees lived with life-changing injuries until his death a decade later.
Recent Developments
Following Mr Rees’s death in December 2023, Wiltshire Police reviewed the case and charged Erdem with manslaughter. He has since been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Swindon Magistrates Court on 26 May 2026.
Police Statement
“This is a tragic case of a young man who suffered significant injuries following an assault in Swindon and tragically died 10 years later,” said Detective Constable Jemma Humphreys of the Major Crime Investigation Team.
She urged the public to be mindful of violence linked to the night-time economy, adding: “Please consider the consequences of your actions, and always stop, think and walk away.”
