Man Guilty Of Newcastle Student Murders
A Malaysian man has been found guilty of murdering two Newcastle University students in Borneo.
A Malaysian man has been found guilty of murdering two Newcastle University students in Borneo.
Aidan Brunger and Neil Dalton, both 22, were working in a local hospital there in August last year.
They were stabbed to death after an incident in a bar.
Zulkipli Abdullah, a 24-year-old fishmonger was found guilty by a court in Malaysia.
In a joint statement today Phil and Jan Dalton and Paul Brunger and Sue Hidson paid tribute to their sons, and spoke of the devastation their deaths had caused.
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.
"Our sons would soon have qualified as doctors. Their unprovoked and senseless murders as they were walking home after a night out with other medical students mean that Aidan and Neil will never have the chance to spend their lives caring for and helping others.
"They would have given so much to the world. We are so very proud of both of them and in what they achieved in their all too short lives.
"Although we are pleased that the man responsible for their murders has been held accountable, the guilty verdict does not bring our sons back.
"We would like to thank our families, friends and everyone who has helped us through these distressing times. We would ask that we are now left to grieve for Neil and Aidan in peace."