Man jailed for killing flatmate while he slept

A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for fatally stabbing his flatmate while he was sleeping.

Indogen Erdogan, 32, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of manslaughter and for possession of a bladed article.

Erdogan attacked his flatmate Fatih Zengi, 27, in the bedroom they shared in a house of multiple occupation (HMO) on Manchester Road, Swindon, on 2 July 2025.

At Erdogan's sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, Zengi's mother Meryem Canli said in a statement: "My son was a quiet angel and they tore him away from us."

She added: "My youngest son Fatih Zengi was brutally killed.

"When I received the news of the killing, I remained in shock for some time."

A statement from his brother, Burak Zengi, was also read out: "My brother Fatih was the most beloved member of our family. He did everything he could for us, both financially and emotionally.

"Since his death, I feel a void. I feel I have lost my sense of reality. I feel utterly shattered."

The court heard Zengi and Erdogan, who were Turkish nationals, had argued the day before Zengi's death.

He told police that Zengi had said "bad words" about his mother and sister.

The jury was told that Erdogan had got a knife from the kitchen, went to the bedroom where Zengi was asleep and attacked him.

While giving evidence earlier in the trial, Erdogan said he was "very scared" of his flatmate and said he had picked up the knife to protect himself.

Zengi was found with critical injuries in Manchester Road by a passing cyclist and later died.

Erdogan's barrister, Edward Henry KC, described Erdogan as "a bewildered and broken man".

Erdogan had previously denied murder and a charge of carrying a knife in a public place.

Sentencing Erdogan, His Honour Judge Blair KC said: "You killed Fatih Zengi, a 27-year-old man with whom you were sharing a bedroom in a flat in Swindon.

"Fatih Zengi's mother's moving personal statement describes how her youngest and closest son was the one who had been earning a living for her whole family whilst he was abroad.

"His brother, Burak Zengi has written to the court describing the rupture to their family at the loss of their youngest siblings.

"You had a sense of grievance over how you believed you were treated by the deceased.

"You did not plead guilty to any offence to your part in the killing of Zengi."

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