Inquest opens into death of Derbyshire student stabbed in Borneo

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of a medical student who was stabbed in Borneo.

Neil Dalton, from Ambergate, and pal Aidan Brunger , both 22 and students at Newcastle University, were three days away from completing a six-week placement working at a hospital in Kuching when they were attacked .

Neil, a former Belper School pupil, and his friend, from Kent, had reportedly argued with a group of local men over complaints they were being too noisy in a bar.

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It is believed some locals followed the pair in a car as they headed back to their hostel and stabbed them multiple times before leaving them to die in the street on August 6.

Neil’s inquest at Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner’s Court was opened and adjourned on Monday.

The inquest of Mr Brunger was opened and adjourned at the same time.

In a statement released through police, Neil’s parents Jan and Phil Dalton said: “We are just a normal family and we cannot believe what has happened.

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“Neil was a caring, thoughtful and witty young man, who never thought twice about helping others.

“He achieved so much and made so many friends in such a short time.

“We are so very proud of him.”

The two men have been awarded posthumous honorary degrees by their university.

Malaysian fishmonger Zulkipli Abdullah has been charged with stabbing the pair to death.

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Four other suspects who were arrested have not been charged and will be witnesses.

A guilty verdict carries the death penalty.

The attack happened in the Jalan Padungan area of Kuching in Sarawak province.

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