A criminology student who brutally murdered mum-of-one Amie Gray and attempted to kill her friend Leanne Miles in a carefully planned attack on a Dorset beach, has been jailed for life with a minimum 39 years to be spent behind bars.. Nasen Saadi, 21, stabbed 34-year-old physical trainer Aime and seriously wounded Leanne, 38, as the pair were enjoying a late-night chat next to a small fire to keep warm on Durley Chine beach in Bournemouth shortly after 11.30pm on Friday 24 May 2024.

The monster was convicted last year following a trial at Winchester Crown Court and it can now be reported that he “touched himself” whilst in his jail cell ahead of the trial after asking a female prison guard how much publicity the case was getting. Home Office pathologist Dr Basil Purdue told a trial last year how Aime died as a result of 10 knife wounds including one to the heart while Ms Miles suffered 20 knife injuries.

The Croydon-born defendant, who had been studying criminology and criminal psychology at the University of Greenwich, had researched locations to carry out the killing and had even asked his course lecturers questions on how to get away with murder.

The trial heard that Saadi was “fascinated” with knives and had bought six blades from websites, with several 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.

Saadi, who had dropped out of a physical education course, also carried out searches about the Milly Dowler and Brianna Ghey killings before travelling to the south coast looking for potential victims.

Lecturer Dr Lisa-Maria Reiss told the court Saadi had asked questions on “how to get away with murder”, which had led her to ask him: “You’re not planning a murder are you?”

The court was told Saadi had booked two hotels for a four-night stay in Bournemouth starting May 21 and was shown on CCTV carrying out “reccies” of the seafront and the scene of the murder, which happened at about 11.40pm on May 24.

During his stay at the Dorset resort, the defendant, who is a fan of horror movies, went to the cinema to see “slasher” movie The Strangers – Chapter 1.

Suggesting a motive for the attack, Ms Jones said: “This defendant seems to have wanted to know what it would be like to take life, perhaps he wanted to know what it would be like to make women feel afraid, perhaps he thought it would make him feel powerful, make him interesting to others.

“Perhaps he just couldn’t bear to see people engaged in a happy, normal social interaction and he decided to lash out, to hurt, to butcher.”

In a statement released after the trial, Aime's wife Sian Gray said: “Amie will never be forgotten. She touched the lives of so many. The immense support and love shown by everyone, reflects just that.

“Amie’s life has been brutally taken but now she can rest in peace. Her strength lives on in all of us.”

The cowardly defendant chose not to give evidence but always denied carrying out the attacks saying it was a case of mistaken identity and adding that he must have “blacked out” when they happened.

Benjamin May, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said,: " “Amie Gray lost her life in the most tragic way, and our deepest condolences remain with her family.

“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.

“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.

“Saadi’s perverse fascination with murder and violence morphed into vile, real-world consequences, for which he has faced justice.

“Women should be free to enjoy their lives without fear of violence – the Crown Prosecution Service is unwavering in our commitment to see perpetrators of male violence against women and girls brought to justice.”

Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of MCIT, said, “Our dedicated team of investigators worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to build the best possible case at trial, which resulted in compelling evidence being presented to the jury.

“We were able to show how carefully the defendant planned his attack, intending to kill, choosing Bournemouth – somewhere he had never been before – as the location seemingly purely because it had a sandy beach and how he travelled down several days before with the intention of committing this horrific act.

“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.

“I want to again thank Amie’s family and Leanne for the support they have provided throughout the investigation and court process and the dignified way they have conducted themselves during this extremely difficult period for them all.”