Family pay tribute to ‘pure of heart' Saudi student who was stabbed in Cambridge
Floral tributes have been left on the pavement outside an apartment block in the street.
Cambridgeshire Police said on Monday that a 21-year-old man, Chas Corrigan, has been charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place.
Officers had been called to Mill Park at 11.27pm on Friday following reports of violence.
Mr Algasim was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.01am on Saturday despite the best efforts of paramedics, the force said.
In a statement issued through police, his family said he was a 'young man brimming with enthusiasm, brimming with chivalry and courage'.
'He was a dutiful son, a loving brother, and the leader of the family in spirit, not in appearance,' they said.
'He was cheerful, chivalrous, pure of heart, quick to give, and passionate about others.
'Over time, he became the family's charisma, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy in every gathering.
'He was his father's support, his familiar companion, and the assistant to his uncles and maternal uncles.
'He was the most compassionate person to ever visit a mother's heart and the closest to his sisters' embrace.'
Cambridgeshire Police said Corrigan, of Holbrook Road, Cambridge, appeared before Peterborough Magistrates' Court on Monday.
The force said he has been remanded in custody to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday.
A 50-year-old man, also from the city, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
He remains in custody.
EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, previously said it was 'deeply saddened' to confirm one of its adult students had died.
A message, on a piece of paper taped to a barrier behind the floral tributes in Mill Park, said 'may your soul be at peace' and had heart shapes drawn on it.
It also said 'inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un', which is an Arabic phrase meaning 'to God we belong and to Him we return'.
A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Tuesday, police said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Serious injury as car and paramedic vehicle crash in Whittlesey
A driver has been seriously hurt in a crash involving a car and an ambulance rapid response vehicle on a 999 happened in Whittlesey, near Peterborough, at 11:10 BST on driver of a black Peugeot suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries. Two Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service crews attended to help free paramedic driving the other vehicle sustained minor injuries, said Cambridgeshire Police. The crash happened in Eastrea Road, near the junction with Victory Avenue. Both cars were heading towards Peterborough at the time."We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area around the time of the collision," said Sgt Claire Marland."If you believe you may have dashcam footage of either vehicle in the lead-up to the collision, please do get in touch with us as this may help us paint a better picture of what happened." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
ITV News
13 hours ago
- ITV News
Man to deny murder of Saudi Arabian student Mohammed Algasim in Cambridge
A 21-year-old man charged with murdering a Saudi Arabian student who was stabbed in the neck intends to deny the charge, a court heard. Mohammed Algasim, 20, died in Mill Park, a street near the city's main train station, in the early hours of Saturday, in what police had previously called an "unprovoked attack". Chas Corrigan, from Holbrook Road in Cambridge, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday charged with murder, and possession of a knife in a public place. Gavin Burrell, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Algasim was slashed across the neck and bled to death at the scene. Mr Algasim had been on a 10-week placement studying English in Cambridge when he was attacked. A plea hearing was scheduled for 8 September, with a provisional trial date set for 9 February next year. Shahnawaz Khan, defending, told the court Corrigan intended to plead not guilty to murdering Mr Algasim and that he would argue self-defence. In a statement issued through police, Mr Algasim's family said he was a 'young man brimming with enthusiasm, brimming with chivalry and courage'. They added: 'He was cheerful, chivalrous, pure of heart, quick to give, and passionate about others.' EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, previously said it was 'deeply saddened' to confirm one of its adult students had died. A message, on a piece of paper taped to a barrier behind the floral tributes in Mill Park, said 'may your soul be at peace' and had heart shapes drawn on it. It also said 'inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un', which is an Arabic phrase meaning 'to God we belong and to Him we return'.
STV News
16 hours ago
- STV News
Company director turned business into secret cannabis factory
A company director turned his business into a secret cannabis factory. David Craig, 49, became involved in the drugs trade at his home and workplace in Dunbar, East Lothian, in October 2023. Judge Lady Haldane heard how detectives executed search warrants at Craig's home in the town and his firm's location on Park Avenue. Officers raided David Craig Property Works Ltd and found that he had more than 100 'healthy and cared for' hash plants. They also found an Albanian citizen who spoke 'little English' and appeared to be living and working at the premises. Officers tasked with investigating modern slavery then interviewed the Albanian man to see if he was a victim of people trafficking gangs. Expert law enforcement officers with knowledge of the narcotics trade believe Craig was in line to receive somewhere between £52,080 and £156,240 for the stash. On Wednesday, prosecutor Gordon Lindhurst told Lady Haldane that a living area had been built at the cultivation. Mr Lindhurst added: 'After forcing initial entry into the living area using bolt cutters, police found [a man] within. 'He is an Albanian national who spoke little English. It appeared that he was working at the cultivation. 'When later interviewed by police via the national referral mechanism, Bakalli told police he had been working at the yard since the start of October.' Craig pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and being involved in its supply. The court heard that officers attended at the business address of David Craig Property Works Ltd – a search of the Companies House database reveals the firm was set up in 2017 and the accused is its sole director. Speaking about the discovery, Mr Lindhurst told the court: 'In the cultivation area, police uncovered a cannabis cultivation containing 186 plants, which appeared healthy and cared for. 'STOP officers valued the maximum yield from the cultivation being between £52,080 and £156,240 based on subdivision into one gram deals. 'Also recovered in the living room and cultivation area at the yard were a bag of vacuum bags, two grinders and a set of scales.' Detectives also found CCTV cameras at the workplace. They recovered footage which showed Craig and other individuals at the yard. Mr Lindhurst added: 'On arrest, caution and charge on October 23, 2023, Mr Craig made no reply. 'In his subsequent police interview, he made no comment.' Defence solicitor advocate Ewen Roy said the court would have to obtain a background report before proceeding to sentence. He asked Lady Haldane to grant his client bail. However, Lady Haldane refused. She said: 'This is a very serious matter indeed. You will be remanded in custody. Craig will be sentenced at the High Court in Stirling on September 23, 2025. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
