Oxford coroner opens inquest into Ukraine volunteer's death

Samuel Newey, 22, from Solihull, had travelled to the eastern European nation last year around six months after the invasion by Russia.

Opening an inquest into the former psychology student’s death on Wednesday (October 11), Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter said Mr Newey died in eastern Ukraine on August 30 after coming under shelling and artillery fire.

His cause of death was given as ‘face and lower limb injuries’.

He was identified by a doctor at Coventry and Warwickshire University Hospitals Trust using dental records.

READ MORE: What happens at an inquest and what can be reported?

A full inquest will be held on March 26 next year.

The Oxfordshire coroner has been chosen to deal with the deaths of UK citizens killed in the Ukraine War.

Paying tribute to his son last month, Mr Newey’s father, Paul, said: "Samuel was the light of all our lives, he was the whole family's baby boy with the cheeky character to match.”

The case was heard at the coroner's court on Wednesday Picture: Oxford Mail (Image: Oxford Mail)

His brother, Daniel Newey, wrote online: “I cannot put into words how broken I feel. I also cannot emphasise how proud I am of my little brother.

“He’d just turned 21 when he decided to answer the call and travel to Ukraine to push back against Russian imperialism.”

Mr Newey and his father, Paul, appeared alongside each other on terrorism charges at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in 2020.

It was alleged they illegally assisted Daniel, who was a British volunteer fighting against Islamic State in Syria, although the charges were later dropped.