Nasen Saadi: Criminology student with 'grievance against women' jailed for murdering personal trainer on beach
A criminology student who murdered one woman and attempted to murder another on a beach in Bournemouth has been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 39 years.
Nasen Saadi, 21, from Croydon, fatally stabbed personal trainer Amie Gray, 34, 10 times as she sat beside a fire on Durley Chine Beach in Dorset on the evening of 24 May.
Her friend Leanne Miles, who was sitting next to her on the beach, suffered 20 knife injuries but survived the attack.
Saadi was found guilty of murder and attempted murder after a trial at Winchester Crown Court in December. On Friday, he was sentenced to life in prison.
In sentencing, the judge Mrs Justice Cutts, said Saadi had denied his guilt because he wanted the "notoriety of a trial" and had a "complete lack of remorse".
She said: "The clear evidence is you planned to kill and went to Bournemouth to do so.
"I am satisfied that you chose Amie Gray and Leanne Miles because you have a grievance against society as a whole and women in particular."
She added: "It seems you have felt humiliated and rejected for any advances you have made towards girls, which has led over time to a deeply suppressed rage towards society and women in particular."
The judge said the attack was "utterly senseless" and added: "I have no doubt you are an extremely dangerous young man and will remain so."
The trial previously heard how Saadi, who was studying criminology at Greenwich University in London, was asked by one of his lecturers: "You're not planning a murder, are you?"
He had asked tutors questions about self-defence for murder and how long DNA stays behind.
Saadi, who had collected knives and researched locations to carry out the killing, told detectives he had an interest in true crime, unsolved cases, and horror movies.
The court heard he used the name "Ninja Killer" on his Snapchat account and also had the username "NSkills" on his computer.
During the trial, the jury was shown CCTV footage the prosecution said showed Saadi walking along the beach promenade.
They also heard a CCTV audio recording of screaming and a male voice at around 11.39pm - the time of the attack.
A recording of a 999 call made by Ms Miles was played to the court in which she was heard crying in pain.
The 39-year-old told the operator: "I have been stabbed loads of times. Oh my God, I am getting dizzy, please hurry up, please hurry up."
She continues: "I am bleeding everywhere, I have been stabbed loads of times."
The defendant, who chose not to give evidence, admitted visiting Bournemouth but denied the offences.
He told police he might have "blacked out" and had no memory of the period that included the attacks.
In a police interview shown in court, Saadi said: "I am not responsible and I have no reason to attack someone for no reason."
Saadi pleaded guilty to failing to provide his mobile phone code to police.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
16 hours ago
- The Guardian
Football Foundation funds scholarship in memory of Stephen Lawrence
A new scholarship programme commemorating the memory of Stephen Lawrence is to be funded by the Football Foundation, with the aim of supporting black students from low socioeconomic backgrounds to train as architects and help develop more inclusive infrastructure for the national game. The Stephen Lawrence Scholarship has been developed in conjunction with Greenwich University and will see one student each academic year provided with a fee waiver for the establishment's MArch Architecture programme. The recipient of the scholarship will also work with the Football Foundation outside their studies. Stephen Lawrence aspired to become an architect before he was murdered in a racist attack in the south London neighbourhood of Eltham in 1993 at the age of 18. He was also a keen Manchester United supporter and his mother, Doreen Lawrence, said the scholarship would be a 'meaningful continuation' of his legacy. 'Through the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship, Stephen's legacy will continue to inspire and empower future generations, ensuring that his vision for equality, opportunity and justice lives on,' said Lady Lawrence, who holds an honorary doctorate at the university. '[It] will provide opportunities for the next generation and reinforce the vital role that education and sport can play in transforming communities.' The Football Foundation works to improve grassroots facilities in the sport, with an emphasis on 'where the need is greatest and the greatest impact will be made'. It is funded by the Premier League, Football Association and UK government. Robert Sullivan, the organisation's chief executive, said the scholarship would form part of its work to lower barriers to entry in the sport. 'This initiative is the perfect legacy as we work to plan, design and construct facilities that target and support groups and communities who have faced barriers in terms of participation,' Sullivan said. 'This includes lower socioeconomic groups and culturally and ethnically diverse communities. These facilities provide not only a great place to play but also a safe space for communities to come together, where people can meet and build friendships.' A lack of representation for black and minority ethnic people within football continues to be an issue for the game. In 2022, data recorded by the Black Footballers Partnership found that 43% of players in the Premier League were black but only 4.4% of former players were in managerial roles in England. Meanwhile, only 1.6% of executive and leadership roles at men's clubs were held by black people. Paul Elliott, the vice-chair of Charlton, which sits in the borough of Greenwich, helped to broker the scholarship deal. A long-term activist for racial equality in football, the former Celtic and Chelsea defender said: 'This partnership between the University of Greenwich and the Football Foundation is a powerful example of what can be achieved when shared values and vision come together. 'It has been a personal honour to help bring these organisations together in Stephen Lawrence's name – uniting his passion for football with our collective commitment to creating inspiring spaces and life-changing opportunities for young people. Through the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship, we not only honour his legacy, but actively build on it, empowering a new generation.'
NBC News
3 days ago
- NBC News
'Mass shooting' thwarted at Michigan high school graduation; one suspect arrested, another at large, officials say
What began as a fist fight at a high school graduation in Michigan on Tuesday has turned into a search for a 20-year-old suspect in what officials are calling a prevented mass shooting attempt. Oakland County authorities are searching for 20-year-old Jamarion Jaryante Hardiman — who is currently on probation for a weapons offense — in connection with the attempt at the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac (ATAP) graduation, Sheriff Michael Bouchard announced in a press conference on Friday. Another 19-year-old suspect is in custody, whose identity is not being released until charges are filed. Bouchard said the 19-year-old suspect also has a criminal history involving weapons. Oakland County Sheriff deputies were initially dispatched at 6:40 p.m. to the graduation held at the United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) property for a fight. A person approached deputies at the scene and informed them a family member had seen a threat posted on Snapchat to shoot up the ceremony, Bouchard said. Authorities are not sure of the post's specific wording, as it has been taken down, but witnesses said it was along the lines of "was going to shoot up the crowd," Bouchard said. The two suspects, both Pontiac residents, were identified as individuals who were part of the fight and had been seen putting packages under cars in the parking lot when authorities arrived, according to Bouchard. Working with the UWM security team and their camera system, officials recovered two fully-loaded weapons at the scene. Each weapon also had a 40-round magazine. "So just those two weapons without changing magazines, had 80 rounds of potential firepower," Bouchard said. "Shooting into a graduation, you can only imagine the outcome of that." One of the suspects, who Bouchard did not specify, was carrying a pink, AR-style pistol with the loaded magazine in a backpack that was stashed under a vehicle when officers arrived. The other weapon recovered was a Glock semi-automatic handgun with a 40-round stick magazine. It is unknown if the suspects once attended the charter school, but Bouchard said they did have friends and relatives at the graduation and "ongoing disputes with individuals in the community." The sheriff said the motive behind the attempted shooting is unclear. The other parties involved in the disputes are not cooperating with authorities, according to Bouchard. "While a brief physical altercation did take place inside the venue, it was quickly handled by staff and security, and those involved were promptly removed," the school wrote in a social media post. "Thankfully, no one within the ceremony was harmed, and we were able to continue and complete our beautiful commencement celebration without further disruption." The 19-year-old suspect fled the scene, but was found after the graduation. Bouchard said he is 'confident' Hardiman will be located. Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding Hardiman's whereabouts to call 911. Bouchard advised community members not to try to apprehend or approach the suspect. When asked by reporters if Bouchard had anything to say to Hardiman, he replied: 'Turn yourself in. One way or another we're going to get you. Make it easier on yourself and the community.'
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Every parent's nightmare as respected teacher exposed as paedophile who preyed on young girls
Every parent's nightmare as respected teacher exposed as paedophile who preyed on young girls Simon Clark posed as a teenage boy on Snapchat to groom his victims into sending him naked images Simon Clark, 46, formerly of Ellesmere Port but now of no fixed address, was jailed for eight years with four more years on licence after admitting child sex offences (Image: Cheshire Police ) He was a highly respected French teacher. Simon Clark was head of department at Alun School in Mold, with a family at home. But the 46-year-old was harbouring a sickening secret. Clark was posing as a teenage boy on Snapchat in order to entice girls into sending him sexual images. Chester Crown Court heard he preyed on 26 youngsters, aged as young as 10. The father-of-two's wife has since divorced him, his career is over, and he is now behind bars. A judge today sentenced him to eight years in prison, with a further four years to be spent on licence. The paedophile teacher kept his head bowed as he was jailed. The court today [Friday] heard Clark pretended to be a 14-year-old boy using a fake Snapchat profile with the name 'Jamie_jones6968' to send hundreds of explicit messages to girls, persuading some to send sexual images in return. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . Judge Simon Berkson said he had no doubt his offending would have continued if he hadn't been stopped after the mother of one victim noticed an unknown man had asked her daughter for a naked photograph and reported him to police. Article continues below It was every parent's nightmare, he said. Simon Clark, 46, of no fixed address, outside Chester Crown Court where he admitted 29 child sex offences The case against Clark began in January, 2023, when police in North Wales were contacted by the concerned parent. Initial enquires suggested that the suspect was living in the Cheshire area, so the case was passed to Cheshire Police. An investigation was subsequently launched by detectives from the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) at Cheshire Police and during their enquiries officers established that Clark was the suspect in the case. A warrant was conducted at his home in May, 2023, and four devices were seized from the address. During subsequent analysis officers discovered that Clark had been posing as a teenager using the Snapchat account. The judge said the truth must have come as a "terrible shock" to the victims and their families. He branded Clark a "dangerous" offender. Clark was given an eight year term, with four more years on licence on his release, for inciting a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity. The remaining jail terms, which are all concurrent, range from 40 months to four months. Clark also received concurrent sentences of eight months, four months and four weeks for making indecent images in categories A, B and C. The judge told the defendant he represented a 'significant risk' to children. Judge Berkson said: 'It is, of course, every parent's worst nightmare, this sort of thing happening to their children. 'Many of the offences involve sexual communication, some involving inciting children to engage in sexual activity. This was well planned and sophisticated criminal behaviour. 'You clearly have a sexual interest from the sexual abuse of children and gain sexual gratification from it.' Clark's barrister, Jeremy Rawson, referred to a "black side" to him. He said: "He has lost everything as a result of this. "There's a black side to his character which is unrestrained and he gave into it and he bitterly regrets it." He went on: "It's a terribly sad case. It's sad for those children whose trust has been abused. It's sad for the parents of those children whose trust has been marred by this man. "On the other side of the coin, this is a man who had a future, who had responsibilities and who had an education." When he goes into custody then comes out he will have to "start again from nothing". Clark admitted 29 charges in total. He admitted one count of inciting a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity, two of inciting a child under 13 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity and two counts of inciting a child under 16 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity. He also admitted 21 counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child under 16, making 26 indecent images of children of Category A, making 29 indecent images of children of Category B and making 81 indecent images of children of Category C. Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Louise Murphy and Detective Constable Megan Griffiths, who led the investigation, said: 'Firstly, we would like to praise the victims in this case for the bravery and courage that they have shown throughout this investigation. "Clark was a teacher, he held a position of trust, and the messages we recovered clearly showed that he was well aware that his victims were all under the age of 16, but despite this he continued his crimes in order to satisfy his own warped sexual desires. 'It was apparent throughout the investigation that Clark is a sexual predator who preyed on young girls, with no regard for the effects his actions would have on the victims or their families. 'While they will never be able to forget what he did, we hope the sentence handed to Clark will provide the victims with some closure and allow them to move forward with their lives.' An NSPCC spokesperson said: 'As a teacher Clark had a duty to keep children safe. 'Instead for seven years he posed as a teenage boy on a social media platform, using his fake profile to target and groom young girls before persuading them to send naked images of themselves. 'This kind of sexual abuse can have a devastating impact on the victims and it is vital all the children involved in this case have access to the support they need to move forwards with their lives. Article continues below 'This case also highlights the need for social media sites to be doing much more to protect children and prevent offenders like Clark from using their platforms to carry out their crimes.'
