Thieves steal ‘memorial’ to tragic medic Neil

The slabs, worth thousands of pounds, were taken from Belper Amateurs Cricket Club on Sandyforth Lane.

The paving slabs were donated from local companies for a new patio project at the club which was to be erected in memory of 22-year-old Neil.

The patio area was scheduled to be opened at the beginning of this cricket season for Neil, an Ambergate resident and Belper Amateurs Cricket Club player.

The alleged killer of the former Belper School student will be in court later this month, after a judge ordered a full trial to go ahead.

Zulkipli Abdullah, 24, is accused of murdering Neil and his friend Aidan Brunger.

The pair were in Borneo to get a broader experience of medicine. Neil had spent time in accident and emergency units in the country and was due to have a couple of weeks travelling. Both the young men were killed on the street in the town of Kuching on August 6, after a night out during their six-week hospital placement.

The paving slabs were set out in piles of ten at the club at The Packhorse Ground.

They were ready to be laid at this weekend’s Nationwide Natwest Cricketforce event, which marks the start of the club cricket season.