A MAN HAS been sentenced to death by hanging in Malaysia after being found guilty of the murder of two British medical students last year.
Neil Dalth and Aidan Brunger, both aged 22, were killed in Sarawak on the island of Borneo where they were working at a local hospital.
The young men were found dead on 6 August 2014. They had been stabbed after a bar argument in Kuching.
This morning, 24-year-old Zulkipli Abdullah was found guilty and will face death by hanging.
During the trial, Zulkipli had said he was involved in a fight with the British students but denied killing them.
In a statement issued to British media today, the men’s parents said they were pleased with the guilty verdict but added that it would not bring back their sons.
Phil and Jan Dalton and Paul Brunger and Sue Hidson 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.”
With AFP
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