Exeter man to be charged with murder after Taperoo pub punch victim Luke Sweetman dies

Police have released the identity of a young man (pictured) who has died – while another will be charged with murder – two weeks after a serious assault at a popular hotel.

Luke Sweetman, pictured with his sister Laura, died in hospital on Friday, August 23. Picture: Supplied by SA Police.

A man has died and another will be charged with murder following a serious assault at Taperoo earlier this month.

Just after midnight on Saturday, August 10, emergency services were called to the Peninsula Hotel Motel after reports a 35-year-old man from Panorama – who police identified on Monday as Luke Sweetman – had been punched.

Mr Sweetman was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died in hospital on Friday, August 23.

The man who allegedly threw the punch fronted Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on August 12 for the first time where he made no application for bail.

The 29-year-old man from Exeter was originally charged with causing serious harm over the fight and remanded in custody, however police on Monday advised the charges would be upgraded to murder on Tuesday when the accused is expected appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link.

The Sammy D Foundation founder Neil Davis said he was “heartbroken” to hear of Mr Sweetman’s death.

“Our thoughts are with Luke’s family and friends as they struggle to comprehend this senseless act of violence, and the inevitability that their lives have now been changed forever,” Mr Davis said.