A criminology student who carried out a fatal stabbing on Bournemouth beach has been sentenced to 39 years in prison.
Nasen Saadi, 21, killed personal trainer Amie Gray, 34, and seriously injured her friend Leanne Miles, 38, during a late-night attack at the Dorset seaside resort on May 24 last year.
The University of Greenwich student had been collecting knives, researching locations for the crime, and even asking his lecturers about how to get away with murder.
Saadi was also convicted at Winchester Crown Court for refusing to provide police with his mobile phone PIN code.
Brutal Attack on the Beach
The court heard that Saadi, armed with a knife, approached Amie and Leanne as they sat chatting on Durley Chine beach shortly after 11:30 pm.
Without warning, he launched a brutal assault on Ms. Miles, stabbing her more than a dozen times. Ms. Gray bravely intervened, shouting at Saadi to “get away” from her friend, which allowed Ms. Miles to escape.
However, Ms. Gray was stabbed ten times and tragically did not survive her injuries.
Although the victims were randomly selected that night, the prosecution successfully argued that Saadi had meticulously planned the murder in advance.
Chilling Planning and Online Searches
Evidence presented in court revealed Saadi’s disturbing fixation on committing murder and evading capture.
In the weeks leading up to the attack, his internet search history included:
- “Why is it harder for a killer to be caught if he does it in another town?”
- “Is Bournemouth beach open at night?”
- “Are pebble beaches easier to run on than sand beaches?”
- “What kind of terrain does Bournemouth beach have?”
- “Which hotels in Bournemouth have CCTV?”
Justice for Amie Gray
Benjamin May, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, expressed his condolences to Amie Gray’s family, describing her final act of bravery: “Amie’s courageous final act to protect her friend truly defines who she was, and her life will forever be remembered for the love and protection she gave to her loved ones.”
He added that Saadi’s “perverse fascination with murder and violence morphed into vile, real-world consequences, for which he has faced justice.”
