Criminology Student’s Chilling Murder Plot Ends in 39-Year Sentence

In a case that reads like a disturbing true crime documentary, a criminology student who meticulously planned the perfect murder has been sentenced to 39 years behind bars for the brutal stabbing death of a personal trainer on Bournemouth beach.

Nasen Saadi, 21, who studied at the University of Greenwich, fatally stabbed 34-year-old personal trainer Amie Gray on May 24 last year in a shocking attack that prosecutors described as the culmination of a disturbing obsession with committing the ‘perfect murder.’

Chilling Premeditation: The Making of a Killer

Winchester Crown Court heard how Saadi’s attack was far from spontaneous. The university student had spent weeks researching how to commit murder and escape justice, even brazenly asking his criminology lecturers questions about how killers could avoid capture.

His internet search history revealed a calculated mindset with queries including “why is it harder for a killer to be caught if he does it in another town” and specific research about Bournemouth beach’s terrain, nighttime accessibility, and nearby hotels with CCTV coverage.

The prosecution successfully argued that this methodical research demonstrated Saadi’s unwavering determination to not just commit murder, but to select the perfect location and circumstances to evade justice afterward.

A Night of Terror at the Seaside

Armed with a knife and his sinister plan, Saadi approached Amie Gray and her friend Leanne Miles, 38, as they sat on Durley Chine beach shortly after 11:30pm enjoying a late-night conversation at the popular Dorset seaside resort.

Without warning, he launched his attack, first targeting Ms. Miles and stabbing her more than a dozen times. What happened next would showcase extraordinary courage in the face of unimaginable horror.

Final Act of Heroism

In what would tragically become her final moments, Amie Gray displayed remarkable bravery that likely saved her friend’s life. She diverted the attacker’s attention by shouting at him to “get away” from Leanne, creating the crucial opportunity for her injured friend to escape.

This selfless act redirected Saadi’s murderous focus toward Amie, who suffered 10 stab wounds and ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Prosecutors and family members have since described this final act of protection as emblematic of Amie’s caring nature.

Benjamin May, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, emphasized this point, stating: “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.”

Justice Served: 39 Years Behind Bars

At Winchester Crown Court, Saadi received a 39-year prison sentence for the murder of Amie Gray and the attempted murder of Leanne Miles. The court also sentenced him for failing to provide his mobile phone PIN code to investigators—a small but telling detail about his efforts to conceal evidence.

The severity of the sentence reflects the calculated nature of the crime, with the judge emphasizing Saadi’s extensive planning and the random selection of victims who had no connection to their attacker.

From Academic Study to Violent Reality

Perhaps most disturbing about this case is how the defendant twisted his criminology studies—a field typically dedicated to understanding and preventing crime—into a macabre blueprint for violence.

Prosecutors highlighted Saadi’s transformation from a student who collected knives and harbored morbid fascinations to someone who methodically executed a plan to take a life, describing it as a “perverse fascination with murder and violence” that “morphed into vile, real-world consequences.”

A Community in Mourning

The brutal attack sent shockwaves through the normally peaceful seaside community of Bournemouth. While random attacks of this nature are exceedingly rare, the case has prompted discussions about safety in public spaces after dark.

For Amie’s family and friends, including survivor Leanne Miles, no sentence can bring back their loved one. The prosecutor’s statement acknowledged the ongoing impact: “Our thoughts continue to remain with her friends and family, as well as with Leanne Miles, whose bravery through this ordeal helped us to deliver justice.”

Legacy of Courage

As this case closes in the legal system, Amie Gray’s memory lives on through the courage she displayed in her final moments. The 34-year-old physical trainer, described by those who knew her as vibrant and caring, will be remembered not for how she died, but for the selfless way she protected someone she loved when facing unimaginable danger.

This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly lives can be changed forever, and how even in our darkest moments, extraordinary acts of human courage can emerge.