A criminology student, Nasen Saadi, stands accused of murdering Amie Gray and attempting to murder Leanne Miles on Durley Chine Beach in Bournemouth. The prosecution alleges that Saadi, 20, researched various violent crimes and weaponry online in the months leading up to the attack, including the crimes of serial killer Levi Bellfield and the murder of Brianna Ghey. His internet search history also reportedly included queries about knife types, knife laws, crime maps, and methods for evading capture, raising serious concerns about premeditation. Saadi, who was studying at the University of Greenwich, had booked accommodation in Bournemouth for the days preceding the attack, suggesting a planned trip. The prosecution paints a picture of a disturbed individual obsessed with violence, potentially motivated by a desire to experience the power of taking a life or disrupting the happiness of others.
The prosecution detailed Saadi’s alleged preparatory actions, including online searches for “sharpest knives,” various types of knives, and even inquiries about hotels without CCTV and the possibility of paying for Airbnb with cash. These searches, coupled with his research into criminal cases and evasion tactics, suggest a calculated approach to the alleged crime. Furthermore, Saadi’s Snapchat username, “Ninja Killer,” adds another layer to the prosecution’s argument, hinting at a fascination with violence. His lecturers also recalled his persistent questioning about legal defenses for murder, which raised red flags and even prompted one to directly ask him if he was planning a murder, a question he reportedly evaded.
CCTV footage presented in court allegedly shows Saadi walking along the promenade in the evenings leading up to the attack, which the prosecution interprets as reconnaissance of the area. This footage, along with his online activity, strengthens the prosecution’s narrative of a premeditated attack. The prosecution argues that Saadi deliberately chose a secluded spot on the beach, approaching the two women under the cover of darkness and attacking them with a knife. The brutality of the attack, with Amie Gray suffering 10 stab wounds and Leanne Miles enduring 20, further underscores the prosecution’s claim of a calculated and savage act.
The prosecution’s case hinges on the idea that Saadi deliberately targeted the two women, highlighting the seemingly random nature of the attack. They were simply chatting by a fire on the beach, unaware of the impending danger. This randomness, according to the prosecution, underscores the chilling nature of the crime and points to a potential desire on Saadi’s part to inflict fear and exert power. Following the attack, Saadi allegedly attempted to dispose of evidence, changing his clothes and shoes and discarding the weapon. His refusal to provide his mobile phone code to the police further fuels suspicion and adds to the mounting evidence against him.
While the prosecution presents a compelling case built on digital footprints, CCTV footage, and witness testimony, Saadi’s defense has yet to fully unfold. One of his lecturers testified that some of the online searches, particularly those relating to knife laws, could be linked to his criminology coursework. However, the lecturer clarified that the course did not involve detailed study of weapons, their purchase, or their specific characteristics like sharpness. This testimony raises the question of whether Saadi’s online activity was truly indicative of malicious intent or simply a misguided attempt at independent research related to his studies.
The trial continues, and the jury must carefully consider all the evidence presented before reaching a verdict. The prosecution’s arguments, while seemingly strong, must be weighed against the defense’s counterarguments and any alternative explanations for Saadi’s actions. The question remains whether the court will accept the prosecution’s narrative of a premeditated attack driven by a fascination with violence or if the defense can successfully challenge this portrayal and offer a different interpretation of the events leading up to the tragic death of Amie Gray and the attempted murder of Leanne Miles.
