Newcastle Uni Students Unlawfully Killed In Borneo

20 October 2015, 13:22 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Two Newcastle University medical students who died after being stabbed in Borneo were unlawfully killed, a coroner has concluded.

Aidan Brunger, from Kent, and Neil Dalton, from Ambergate in Derbyshire, were killed in the unprovoked attack in Kuching, Sarawak, on the island of Borneo in August last year.

The country's high court sentenced Zulkipli Abdullah, 23, to death for the murder in March.

An inquest into their deaths at Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner's Court heard evidence from pathologist Michael Biggs who said both 22-year-olds suffered ``sharp force injuries''.

Mr Brunger suffered a stab wound to the left side of the chest, while Mr Dalton was found to have two stab wounds to the chest and a further two to the back.

Senior coroner for Derby and Derbyshire Robert Hunter said: ``Having listened to evidence from Mr Parr (a witness) and the knowledge of criminal proceedings, there's one verdict that I can return in respect of both Aidan Brunger and Neil Dalton and that is unlawful killing.

``There were great hopes for them as doctors. The light that they shine far outweighs the darkness that befell them on August 8. I know you will miss them terribly.''

In a joint statement made by the families of Mr Dalton and Mr Brunger, they said they were ``satisfied'' with the conclusion.

They added: ``Aidan and Neil were murdered in a random and totally unprovoked attack on the street as they walked home with other medical students.

``The loss of a child is utterly horrific and we still find it hard to believe we will never see our sons again.

``We will always miss Neil and Aidan terribly, and wonder what might have been if they were able to pursue their dream of being doctors and helping others.

``Our sons made us so proud of what they achieved in their too short lives, we loved them very much, and we always will.''

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UPDATED Tuesday 20th October 2015

The inquest into the deaths of two Newcastle University students - who were stabbed in Borneo - will take place later.

Aidan Brunger, from Kent, and Neil Dalton, from Ambergate in Derbyshire, were killed in the unprovoked attack in Sarawak on the island of Borneo in August last year.

The country's high court sentenced Zulkipli Abdullah, 23, to death for the murder in March.

During the trial, it was heard that Abdullah said he wanted to ``test his strength'' against bigger and taller foreigners before committing the attack.

The prosecutor also said that, after he stabbed the pair, he sniffed the blood on his hands and claimed it smelled nice.

Abdullah had denied stabbing them but the court ruled that his defence was merely an afterthought, with the attack outside a cafe in the early hours being entirely unprovoked.

The hearing into the deaths of the men, both 22, will be held at the Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner's Court.

Following the court hearing in March, the families of Mr Brunger and Mr Dalton made a joint statement paying tribute to their sons.

They said: ``Since Aidan and Neil were killed on 6 August 2014, our lives have been shattered.

``They were two exceptional young men with such promise - kind, funny and full of life. Their deaths have left their families and many good friends utterly devastated.

``Neil and Aidan were having a wonderful time in Borneo, working in Sarawak Hospital and also travelling around, seeing as much of the beautiful country as they could. Both boys said how very welcoming and friendly the people were.''