Criminology Student Convicted for ‘Senseless’ Beach Murder

A criminology student was convicted of a “senseless” murder and attempted murder after stabbing two women on Bournemouth beach. The incident resulted in the death of Amie Gray, 34, and serious injuries to Leanne Miles, 38, during an attack on Durley Chine Beach on 24 May, after they were “chosen at random”. Nasen Saadi, 20, from Croydon, received his conviction after a trial at Winchester Crown Court, where the prosecution stated he “seems to have wanted to know what it would be like to take life”. Det Insp Mark Jenkins, of Dorset Police, read a statement outside the court on behalf of Ms Gray’s wife, Sian Gray, in which it was stated that she would “never be forgotten”. The statement included: “Amie’s life has been brutally taken, but now she can rest in peace.” “She touched the lives of so many. The immense support and love shown by everyone, reflects just that. Her strength lives on in all of us.” Benjamin May, senior crown prosecutor with CPS Wessex, characterized the murder as a “senseless attack” that had shocked the community of Bournemouth. He stated: “Though both victims were chosen at random, Nasen Saadi’s unfathomable desire to carry out a murder was backed up by extensive planning – which included going to great lengths to avoid getting caught.” He added: “Now he has been convicted and faces life behind bars, I hope he will be forgotten.” The jury spent five hours and 36 minutes deliberating, and the judgment followed a nine-day trial. Judge Mrs Justice Cutts informed Saadi: “You have been convicted of the most serious of crimes.” She further indicated that he would receive imprisonment for life, with a minimum term of “considerable length”. During the night of the assault, the two women were seated on the sand, where they had lit a fire. CCTV footage presented to jurors depicted Saadi traversing the promenade before moving onto the sand, assaulting the two individuals, and leaving them to bleed to death. Ms Gray, a fitness instructor, was declared deceased at the scene upon the arrival of paramedics. Ms Miles was transported to a hospital, suffering from 20 knife wounds, primarily to her back. Saadi, a criminology student at the University of Greenwich, was apprehended at his aunt’s house in Purley on 28 May. Police discovered several knives and self-defence spray in a bedroom at the property. Neither a weapon nor clothing from the night of the killing was retrieved during the investigation. During the police interview, Saadi informed detectives of his interest in unsolved crimes, such as the Setagaya family murders in Japan. Saadi declined to disclose his passwords and admitted guilt for failing to grant police access to his mobile phone. On his laptop, investigators discovered internet search queries for “deadliest knife”, “Why is it harder for a criminal to be caught if he does it in another town” and “What hotels don’t have CCTV in UK”, the jury was informed. He had also searched for “Bournemouth CCTV” and “Bournemouth pier CCTV” just days prior to the murder. CCTV footage presented to the jury, according to Ms Jones, showed Saadi travelling from Croydon to the Travelodge hotel in Bournemouth on 21 May. He conducted reconnaissance of the area prior to relocating to the Silver How Hotel on 23 May. Court footage depicted detectives asking Saadi what he had done after checking out of the Travelodge on 23 May. Saadi stated “I can’t remember, maybe sleepwalking… I probably blacked out” and informed detectives that his subsequent recollection was being at home on 25 May. He informed investigators that he was a victim of “mistaken identity” and stated “that’s not me” after being shown CCTV footage from the night of the attack. Saadi elected not to testify from the witness box, and Mr Sherrard, defending, presented no additional evidence. His sentencing is scheduled to take place at Winchester Crown Court on 28 March.