Tom: Man arrested for ‘manslaughter’ (From Gazette)

Tom: Man arrested for ‘manslaughter’

5:20pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in News

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following a suspicious death in Colchester.

Tom Sadler-Smith, 26, was discovered by police in his flat in St Andrew’s Avenue, shortly after 8pm on July 1, after paramedics were called.

A man, 28, from Colchester, was arrested yesterday and bailed without charge until Saturday, September 8.

A post-mortem was also carried out yesterday, but no cause of death has been released.

Further tests are being conducted to ascertain the cause.

Tom’s dad, Neil Sadler-Smith, said: “I was told about the arrest yesterday.

“The police have been excellent. They have done everything I could have asked of them.

“Obviously, they are limited in what they can tell even me, until they have evidence from the coroner’s report.’’ Mr Sadler-Smith added: “It’s very distressing for us. His mum is in bits and we are in limbo.

“We know it’s going to take some time.”

Mr Sadler-Smith said he had never heard his son mention the suspect and denied rumours Tom was involved in drugs.

He said: “Tom liked a drink. He would buy a few cans from the shop and watch his videos.

“He was saving to get his own place and never gave us any problem. He was a quiet lad.

“If he was doing drugs, I am certainly the last to know.

“He didn’t even smoke.”

Roofer Tom was a former pupil at Eight Ash Green Primary and Philip Morant School, Colchester.

He was a successful swimmer and cross-country runner when younger.

Since his death, Tom’s Facebook page has been deluged with tributes.

No date has yet been set for the funeral.

Mr Sadler-Smith said he expected the coroner’s initial report to take at least five weeks.