A criminology student has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 39 years for the murder of a young mother whom he stabbed 10 times and the attempted murder of another woman.
Nasen Saadi, of Croydon, south London, fatally stabbed Amie Gray, 34, and seriously wounded her friend, Leanne Miles, as the pair were enjoying a late-night chat next to a small fire on May 24 last year.
The defendant, who had been studying at the University of Greenwich, had collected knives and researched locations to carry out the killing.
He had even asked his course lecturers questions on how to get away with murder.
Nasen Saadi will spend a minimum of 39 years behind bars
DORSET POLICE
The trial at Winchester Crown Court heard that Saadi was “fascinated” with knives and had bought six blades from websites.
Several of these weapons were found at his aunt’s house where he was living as well as at his parents’ home.
Saadi used the name “Ninja Killer” for his Snapchat account and also used the username “NSkills” on his computer.
He had dropped out of a physical education course and had carried out searches about the Milly Dowler and Brianna Ghey killings.
The court was told Saadi had booked two hotels for a four-night stay in Bournemouth starting May 21.
CCTV showed him carrying out “recces” of the seafront and the scene of the murder.
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During his stay at the Dorset resort, Saadi, a fan of horror movies, went to the cinema to see “slasher” movie The Strangers Chapter 1.
The trial heard how Gray tried to distract Saadi while he was attacking Miles, shouting “get away”, allowing her friend to flee.
Saadi denied carrying out the attacks, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity and that he must have “blacked out” when they happened.
Benjamin May, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “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.
“Saadi’s perverse fascination with murder and violence morphed into vile, real-world consequences, for which he has faced justice.”
Our thoughts remain with Amie’s family and Leanne Miles, whose bravery helped deliver justice.
Dorset Police Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins said: “We were able to show how carefully the defendant planned his attack, intending to kill, choosing Bournemouth somewhere he had never been before.
“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.”
DI Jenkins thanked Amie’s family and Leanne for their support throughout the investigation and court process.
He praised “the dignified way they have conducted themselves during this extremely difficult period for them all.”