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Benjamin Morse: Haka send off for Halesowen hit-and-run victim - VIDEO

A hit-and-run victim from Halesowen was given an unusual send off as one of his closest friends performed the famous Haka dance at his funeral.

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Darrin Sutton sends Benjamin Morse (left) off with a Haka at his funeral

Darrin Sutton, originally from New Zealand, performed his own special tribute for Benjamin Morse.

The Maori war dance is most commonly associated with the New Zealand rugby team and hundreds who attended the ceremony at St John's Church in Halesowen looked on as Darrin broke out into the routine.

Darrin's fiancée Rachel Connor said: "Ben absolutely loved it, he begged Darrin to do it. Everybody loved Darrin doing it.

"He knew weeks before he was going to do it."

Those attending the funeral were asked to wear football shirts in memory of the Arsenal and big football fan.

Mr Morse, aged 36, died after he was hit by a car at around 12.15am on May 1 while walking down Cherry Street in the town.

Rachel said: "He was amazing, a fun-loving sports fanatic."

On Friday Nidal Alboraiki, aged 21, of Foxhunt Road, Halesowen, and Ahmed Alboraiki, aged 19, of the same address, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder, whilst also denying a count of attempting to pervert the course of justice by disposing of a Vauxhall Corsa and a further allegation of driving dangerously.

His brother Ahmed Alboraiki, aged 19, of the same address, was also at the hearing where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice in relation to his brother’s mobile phone.

A trial date set for October 16.

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