Manslaughter verdict in Boa case

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A tourist has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a 28-year-old Highland backpacker in Australia.

Alexander York, from Essex, had been charged with murdering Rudi Boa, of Culloden, Inverness, in Tumut, New South Wales, in January last year.

However, a Supreme Court jury in Wagga Wagga found the 33-year-old not guilty of that charge.

Mr Boa, a scientist, died from a single stab wound to the chest. York will be sentenced in Sydney in September.

He was popular and loved by all that knew him and made friends wherever he went Family statement

The only witness to the incident, Mr Boa's girlfriend Gillian Brown, from Nairn, near Inverness, gave evidence during the trial that York's actions were deliberate following an argument between the couple and York at a local hotel, where they had been drinking together.

The manslaughter verdict meant the jury accepted York's defence that he either stabbed Mr Boa accidentally or in self-defence.

Mr Boa and Ms Brown had been travelling around South East Asia before arriving in Australia. They planned to go to New Zealand before heading home.

Sadly missed

At the time of the incident, the family of the Edinburgh University graduate paid tribute to him.

"Rudi had a very laid back attitude to life, with a smile at all times," they said in a statement.

"He was popular and loved by all that knew him and made friends wherever he went.

"A much-loved son, brother, boyfriend who will be sadly missed."

Mr Boa graduated with a degree in chemistry before gaining another degree, in forensic science, from Edinburgh's Napier University.