Student jailed for life for Bournemouth beach stabbings
21-year-old Nasen Saadi was sentenced for the murder of Amie Gray and attempted murder of Leanne Miles at Durley Chine Beach
A detailed investigation led by major crime detectives has resulted in a man being jailed for life for the murder and attempted murder of two women on a beach in Bournemouth.
Nasen Saadi, aged 21 and of Croydon in London, was told he will server a minimum of 39 years in prison when he appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Friday 28 March 2025 to be sentenced for the murder of Amie Gray and attempted murder of Leanne Miles at Durley Chine Beach.
Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) spearheaded the investigation into the double stabbing, which saw Saadi target his two victims as they sat peacefully by a fire enjoying a moonlit evening at around 11.40pm on Friday 24 May 2024. They were attacked completely by surprise, for no reason, by a man they did not know.
The brutal attack saw him stab both women multiple times, with Amie very sadly pronounced dead at the scene and Leanne sustaining serious injuries.
While the offender had been captured on CCTV, the initial days of the investigation were focussed on establishing his identity as well as meticulous searches of the beach, promenade and surrounding clifftop areas to secure any available evidence.
Following extensive targeted CCTV enquiries, officers picked up the offender on CCTV from earlier on the day of the attack walking in the area of Westhill Road. Follow-up enquiries revealed he had been into a local convenience store and made a purchase using his bank card.
Financial enquiries from that transaction provided the name of Nasen Saadi, and the defendant was arrested at his home in Croydon on the evening of Tuesday 28 May 2024.
Saadi subsequently refused to provide access to his mobile phone throughout the investigation despite a court order requiring him to do so. This led to him being charged with an offence under Section 49 of the Regulation of Investigation Powers Act (RIPA), to which he pleaded guilty at the start of his trial.
Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of MCIT, said: “Our investigation team has been supported by colleagues from across Dorset Police as we worked tirelessly to secure justice for the family of Amie and for Leanne.
“The initial response to this tragic incident involved more than a hundred officers as well as experts from across the Force as we poured everything into catching this brutal killer.
“I am also grateful for the support of the local community, and particularly businesses in the surrounding area, who provided vital information, access to CCTV and other assistance that helped us piece together the movements of the offender around the time of the offence, and ultimately led to us being able to identify him and bring him to justice.
“Our dedicated team of investigators then worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to build the best possible case at trial, which resulted in compelling evidence being presented to the jury.
“We were able to show how carefully the defendant planned his attack, intending to kill, choosing Bournemouth – somewhere he had never been before – as the location seemingly purely because it had a sandy beach and how he travelled down several days before with the intention of committing this horrific act.
“It appears that he targeted Amie and Leanne, who he had never met and were simply enjoying a peaceful evening on the beach, just because he saw an opportunity to surprise and overpower them.
“I want to again thank Amie’s family and Leanne for the support they have provided throughout the investigation and court process and the dignified way they have conducted themselves during this extremely difficult period for them all.”
Benjamin May, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “Amie Gray lost her life in the most tragic way, and our deepest condolences remain with her family.
“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.
“Our thoughts continue to remain with her friends and family, as well as with Leanne Miles, whose bravery through this ordeal helped us to deliver justice.
“Saadi’s perverse fascination with murder and violence morphed into vile, real-world consequences, for which he has faced justice.
“Women should be free to enjoy their lives without fear of violence – the Crown Prosecution Service is unwavering in our commitment to see perpetrators of male violence against women and girls brought to justice.”
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