Croydon student guilty of Bournemouth beach murder

A student from Croydon has been found guilty of murder and attempted murder after stabbing two women on Bournemouth beach.

Nasen Saadi, aged 20 and of Croydon, was convicted yesterday following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

He will return to court to be sentenced on March 28, 2025.

Amie Gray, 34, was killed and 38-year-old Leanne Miles was seriously injured after being “chosen at random” on Durley Chine Beach on May 24.

Benjamin May, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “This was a senseless attack which shocked the people of Bournemouth – and our deepest condolences remain with Amie Gray’s family.

“We hope that Amie’s memory will live on; as a much-loved young woman and a pillar of her community, who bravely and selflessly defended her friend in the face of a terrifying attack.”

Saadi travelled to Bournemouth three days before the attack and stayed in hotels in the town.

On the nights before the attack, he was seen going down to the seafront near to the scene of the murder and appeared to be researching the area and the routes to and from the beach, police said.

On the evening of the attack, he left his hotel at around 10.45pm and was captured on CCTV walking up and down the seafront, at times looking over at his two victims, who were sitting on the beach by a fire.

At around 11.40pm, he approached them without warning and launched his brutal attack, chasing them down and stabbing them repeatedly.

Saadi ran away but was captured leaving the area on CCTV moments later and was also seen by a witness as he made his way up from the seafront back to his hotel.

Leanne was able to call 999 and officers along with medical staff arrived on scene shortly afterwards. Despite their efforts, Amie was pronounced dead at the scene, having sustained multiple stab wounds.

Leanne was taken to hospital for treatment for 20 knife wounds to her side, back and arms.

Saadi was arrested at his home in Croydon on May 28.

He refused to disclose his passwords, and pleaded guilty to failing to give the police access to his mobile phone.

Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of MCIT, said: “Amie and Leanne were enjoying an early summer evening at the beach and were totally unaware 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.

“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 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 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.”

Pictured top: Nasen Saadi, a 20-year-old student from Croydon who has been found guilty of murder and attempted murder (Picture: Dorset Police)