Student guilty of murdering mum in Bournemouth beach stabbing
Amie Gray was attacked while out with a friend last May
Last updated 10 hours ago
A man has been found guilty of murdering a physical trainer in a stabbing on Bournemouth beach.
34-year-old Amie Gray died after suffering 10 knife wounds during the attack at Durley Chine on May 24th.
Nasen Saadi, a 20-year-old criminology student from Croydon in south London, was also convicted of the attempted murder of Leanne Miles, who was with Amie at the time and suffered serious knife injuries.
Saadi was found guilty at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday (December 18th) following a trial lasting twelve days.
Jurors heard an audio recording of the attack during the trial and also saw video footage of the moment Saadi was questioned by detectives.
In video footage shown to the jury of a police interview with the defendant recorded on May 31, detectives asked Saadi if he had carried out the attack.
Wearing a grey jumper with his arms crossed, the defendant replied: "I am not responsible and I have no reason to attack someone for no reason."
He added: "I am wrongly accused of mistaken identity, mistakes can happen and I am not responsible."
Saadi continued: "I think just because someone is wearing the same clothes is circumstantial."
When asked where he was at the time of the attack, he replied "no comment" and when asked if he was the person in the CCTV footage of the incident, he replied: "Beaches are popular places, many people, CCTV shows there were many people walking, it's not just one person."
And when asked if he was that person, he replied: "No."
He pleaded not guilty to the extra charge and also denies the charges of murder and attempted murder.
Saadi, who was studying criminology at Greenwich University, denied charges of murder and attempted murder but had previously pleaded guilty to failing to give his phone pin number to police.
He'll be sentenced in March next year.
Following the outcome of the trial, a new photo of Amie Gray's been released.
There's also a statement from her wife, Sian:
"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of Dorset Police, the jury, prosecution team, the medics and first response team. To each and every person who have helped bring Amie the justice that she deserves.
"I particularly want to thank the family liaison officers, Jo and Florence who have gone above and beyond to support us through such pain and tragedy.
"Amie will never be forgotten. She touched the lives of so many. The immense support and love shown by everyone, reflects just that.
"Amie’s life has been brutally taken but now she can rest in peace. Her strength lives on in all of us."
Dorset Police response
Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of Dorset's Major Crime Investigation Team said: “Amie and Leanne were enjoying an early summer evening at the beach in May and were totally unaware of the presence of the defendant, a complete stranger to them. He had selected them as his target that night after several weeks of planning to come to Bournemouth to kill someone.
“The first they were aware of him was when he launched his attack as they sat on the sand in the moonlight. They were taken completely by surprise, yet Amie shouted for him to leave Leanne alone. Her selfless bravery that night saved Leanne’s life, but tragically cost her own.
“The investigation by Dorset Police started with the first emergency call from the beach by Leanne. She was able to give details that proved vital in establishing the description and direction of travel of the attacker. This led to a large scale search for CCTV involving BCP Council, local residents and crucially local business owners and hoteliers who willingly assisted in the enquiries. The community united to help track down the killer.
“The investigation team worked tirelessly for many weeks and months to gather all the available evidence seeking to bring the attacker to justice for Amie, Leanne and their families who have been extremely supportive of the investigation throughout. I would like to thank them for the way they have bravely endured the court proceedings each in their own way.
“I hope that this outcome provides some degree of comfort that allows them to move forward. I know it has been hard to do whilst waiting for the outcome of the trial.
“My thanks go to the Crown Prosecution Service and the prosecution team for presenting the evidence gathered by the investigation team in the best way possible. An investigation of this scale is truly a team effort from beginning to end.
“We fully understand that this senseless murder had a considerable impact on the whole community in the Bournemouth area. We will continue to do all we can to work with partners and tackle knife crime and violence against women and girls in the town and I hope this case demonstrates that we will do everything in our power to ensure offenders are identified and held to account.”