British student stabbed to death near canal in Amsterdam, inquest told
A British student was stabbed to death on a trip to Amsterdam before he was dragged and left at the bottom of steps leading to a basement flat, an inquest has heard.
Danny Castledine, 22, sustained 44 wounds near the Singel canal in the early hours of June 1 2022 after stopping in the city with a friend on the way to a music festival in Belgium.
At the inquest, assistant coroner Nathanael Hartley found the 22-year-old from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire was unlawfully killed after suffering multiple stab wounds.
The inquest at Nottingham Coroner's Court was attended by Danny's parents and sister.
A Belgian national, referred to as Nongo B, was jailed for 14 years after he was found guilty of manslaughter during trial in a Dutch court in January.
Detective constable Gina Farrell of Nottinghamshire Police told the hearing: “I was told Danny travelled to Amsterdam with his friend.
"They became separated some time after 1am in the morning.
“Danny walked around the city centre thereafter and he appeared to have met the person we call the defendant between 1.40am and 2.12am."
Ms Farrell adds: “Danny walked with the defendant into where there appears to be a clash between Danny and the defendant.
“It is believed this is where the defendant carried out the attack before he dragged him down the stairs to the basement flat.
“One of the hypotheses that came up is that the defendant attempted to rob Danny, but there was no evidence to substantiate that.”
Mr Castledine’s body was discovered by a pedestrian at the bottom of the steps at around 3.30am.
The inquest was told that Mr Castledine was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering “defensive injuries” and “severe blood loss” with a stab wound to his neck.
Ms Farrell told the hearing a man was found in the south of Amsterdam who was “disorientated” and “covered in blood”, and was arrested and taken to a police station.
She added that police tested the blood on the man’s clothing, which matched Mr Castledine’s blood.
Ms Farrell also told the hearing that a retrial of the defendant may take place sometime in the future.
The coroner ended the hearing by telling Mr Castledine’s family: “I want to offer my sincerest condolences, not just to yourselves but to everyone who knew Danny.
“He was clearly someone who made friends easily and had an impact on people’s lives.”
Mr Castledine’s sister Chloe told the inquest: “He was just happy-go-lucky wanting to enjoy his life. It’s a shame his life ended in the way it did in a foreign country because he loved to travel.
"Everyone loved him, no one had a bad word to say about him."
“All he wanted to do was go out and have a good time.
"Everyone loved him, no one had a bad word to say about him. He trusted everyone and assumed everyone was out for a good time like he was.”
Mr Castledine’s mother previously said in a statement released by police: “When Danny was alive, it frustrated me that he was so laidback but now I just think, I’m so glad he lived that life because he loved every minute of it.
“It was almost like he knew he had to pack everything into 22 years.”
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