Student ‘butchered’ woman on Bournemouth beach to ‘see what it would feel like to kill’
A criminology student has gone on trial for allegedly murdering a personal trainer and attempting to murder another woman on a Bournemouth beach in a “horrifyingly savage” attack.
Nasen Saadi, 20, is accused of fatally stabbing Amie Gray, 34, and seriously injuring Leanne Miles at Durley Chine Beach on May 24.
Winchester Crown Court heard how Saadi, who studied at Greenwich University, allegedly carried out extensive research on murder methods before the attack.
Prosecutors told the court Saadi wanted to “know what it would be like to take life” when he targeted the two women who were chatting by a fire under a full moon.
Sarah Jones KC, prosecuting, described how Saadi allegedly approached the women “slowly, stealthily and quietly” with a knife in hand.
The court heard how Miles managed to survive despite suffering 20 injuries, after pleading with the attacker: “Please stop, I’ve got children.”
Miles told police that during the attack, she could hear Gray saying “Get off me” from the darkened beach area.
“He came back on to me, and he was continuously stabbing me,” Miles said in her testimony. “I kept turning my back to him, so all my injuries are on one side of my back.”
Gray was pronounced dead at the scene.
In March, prosecutors said Saadi researched “why is it harder for a killer to be caught if he does it in another town” and “which is the deadliest knife”.
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He allegedly searched online for “busiest beaches” and investigated whether Bournemouth beach was open at night.
The court heard Saadi booked into a Travelodge hotel in Bournemouth on May 21, followed by the Silver How guest house on May 23.
Jones told the court that each night during his stay, Saadi walked along the promenade to Durley Chine for what she described as a “recce” of the area.
He also researched which hotels accepted cash payments and lacked CCTV cameras.
During his studies at Greenwich University, Saadi’s unusual behaviour caught the attention of his lecturers.
He frequently asked questions unrelated to lecture topics, focusing on self-defence justification for murder, DNA analysis and forensic evidence.
One lecturer became so concerned about Saadi’s persistent questions about forensics and police operations that she directly asked him: “You’re not planning a murder, are you?”
The court heard Saadi did not respond to this question.
Prosecutors said he took particular interest in high-profile stabbings, including researching the murder of teenager Brianna Ghey in Warrington and her killers.
Police searching Saadi’s home discovered multiple knives, which prosecutors said showed his “fascination” with weapons.
Officers also found latex gloves, a torch and a black balaclava.
Two days before the alleged attack, Saadi watched “The Strangers: Chapter 1”, described by prosecutors as a “slasher home invasion movie” where both main characters are stabbed.
When questioned by police, Saadi initially declined to answer but later admitted his interest in true crime and horror movies.
He claimed he might have had a “blackout” or “been affected because he had been drinking”.
When shown footage of the attack, Saadi stated simply: “That’s not me.”
Saadi has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder at Winchester Crown Court. He has, however, admitted to failing to provide his mobile phone code to police.
Gray’s wife Sian was present in the public gallery during today’s proceedings.
The trial continues.