A 20-year-old man from Croydon has been convicted of murdering a woman and attempting to kill her friend in a brutal attack on Bournemouth’s Durley Chine Beach.
Nasen Saadi was found guilty of murdering 34-year-old Amie Gray and attempting to kill 39-year-old Leanne Miles during an unprovoked attack on May 24. The verdict was delivered by a jury at Winchester Crown Court after deliberating for just over five hours.
A Calculated and Savage Attack
Prosecutor Sarah Jones KC described the incident as a “horrific, random, and savage attack.” She detailed how Saadi’s actions appeared calculated, with evidence revealing a disturbing pattern of planning and fascination with violent crimes.
Alarming Behaviour and Preparations
Saadi, a criminology student at the University of Greenwich, raised concerns before the attack by asking unsettling questions during lectures, including how to avoid detection for murder. Witnesses testified that he had researched topics such as DNA evidence, knife purchases, and unsolved murders. He also explored potential locations, focusing on Bournemouth beaches in the weeks leading up to the attack.
On May 21, CCTV captured Saadi traveling from Croydon to Bournemouth, where he checked into a hotel near the seafront. Over the following days, he was seen scouting Durley Chine Beach late at night.
The Night of the Attack
On May 24, Saadi attacked Ms Gray and Ms Miles as they enjoyed an evening picnic by a fire on the beach. Eyewitnesses, including university students Ellie Ackerman and Caitlyn MacIver, recalled seeing a suspicious man pacing nearby before the violence unfolded.
Ms Miles described the horrifying moment a hooded figure approached and stabbed her repeatedly. When Ms Gray intervened to protect her friend, Saadi chased her and inflicted fatal wounds.
Ms Miles sustained 20 knife injuries, including a collapsed lung and punctured liver, but managed to call 999 for help. Despite her injuries, she credited Ms Gray with saving her life, saying, “Amie gave her life for me.”
Ms Gray tragically died at the scene from multiple stab wounds, with a pathologist noting the force of the attack as severe.
Aftermath and Arrest
Saadi fled the scene and returned to London the next day. He was arrested on May 28 after officers linked him to the crime. A search of his home uncovered a collection of weapons, including knives and a machete.
In police interviews, Saadi denied involvement, claiming, “I am not responsible and have no reason to attack someone.” However, the evidence presented, including CCTV, forensic links, and witness accounts, led to his conviction.
Justice for the Victims
Saadi is due to be sentenced on March 28, 2025, and faces a life sentence for the murder of Ms Gray and the attempted murder of Ms Miles.
This tragic case has left a lasting impact on the victims’ families and the Bournemouth community, who mourn the senseless loss of a kind and courageous woman.
(Main image: Dorset Police)
