THE family of Tom Rogers, killed in a random attack on a cycle path near Swindon railway station, have thanked the Adver for reports into the tragedy.

Jason Voong was found guilty on November 10 of the manslaughter of pub worker Mr Rogers in June last year.

Voong was also found guilty of wounding Swindon woman Leanne James, 24, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.

Voong, 29, of Southbrook Street, hit Leanne repeatedly over the head with a snooker cue and five weeks later Aulton 'Tom' Rogers, 60, died after being stabbed 20 times with a knife to the neck and chest at about 11.30pm on Thursday, June 26.

The attacks took place on a cycle path near the railway station, between the Oasis Leisure Centre and Station Road.

The jury acquitted Voong of the charges of murder and attempted murder. Voong had not denied the attacks but said he was guilty of Mr Rogers' manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to an abnormality of mind.

Voong did not give evidence in the trial and never provided police with an explanation for his actions.

On November 13, Voong was given an indefinite hospital order under the Mental Health Act, with conditions upon his release.

In a letter to the Advertiser, Karen Rogers wrote: "The past 17 months have been a very sad and stressful time for our family, following the horrific murder of our brother, Tom.

"As you know, my sister and I travelled from Australia and California to attend the trial in Bristol recently.

"We would like to say a sincere 'thank you' to the Swindon Advertiser and to all the journalists involved in reporting the case, from the very outset. Their articles have been very fair, informative and unbiased.

"We have been able to access them easily from overseas, which has been very helpful for us all, as we followed through the legal process.

"We miss Tom terribly and now have to try to move forward without him in our lives."