A trial heard murder suspect Nasen Saadi took an interest in ‘deliberately offensive-looking weapons’ before he allegedly killed personal trainer Amie Gray on Bournemouth beach
The parents of the criminology student accused of murdering a woman on Bournemouth beach were forced to hide two knives and an axe from him, a court heard on Friday.
Jurors at Winchester Crown Court, Hants, were told Nasen Saadi, 20, took an interest in “deliberately offensive-looking weapons” in the months leading up to the killing of personal trainer Amie Gray, 34, on May 24. The court heard he had also purchased several knives online.
When Saadi was arrested, a Trespass rucksack was found in his possession containing white latex gloves, balaclava, a torch, and used wet wipes. Police seized a number of weapons from him, including an MTech USA extreme knife in a sheath, a black machete, black handled serrated knife and a black ornamental knife, following his arrest at his aunt’s home in Purley, south London, on May 28.
Officers also discovered “self defence spray” in his bedside table. It was heard that no blood was found on any of his belongings except for his own in the rucksack.
Saadi’s paternal grandfather, who also lived at the aunt’s address, told police there was a knife “hidden” between the wardrobe and wall. Ms Jones KC said the student’s father had supplied police with two knives and an axe, which he had taken from him in the past.
Upon looking at Saadi’s laptop, officers found he used the username “NSKills”, and later discovered online usernames including “Ninja Kiler”. Saadi, a criminology student, is accused of using his studies to research how to get away with murder before killing Mrs Gray.
It was heard the criminology student had taken such an “interest” in true crime that his lecturer had once asked him “You’re not planning a murder are you?”, jurors were told.
The student used the internet to search for “deliberately offensive-looking weapons” and researched “most popular beach for kids UK”, the court heard. Jurors were also told he searched “what hotels don’t have CCTV in UK” and “can you pay Airbnb with cash”.
On the evening of May 24, Mrs Gray and her friend Leanne Miles had arrived at the beach in the late evening. The pair were sitting beside a fire to keep warm when they saw “a shadow of the person” appear behind them. Moments later, the attacker – who Ms Miles described as a “young boy” – launched at them both.
The trial heard “severe force” was used to kill Mrs Gray, who suffered ten knife wounds – the most serious being a “gaping” wound to her chest. Ms Miles was “fortunate” to survive the attack and her injuries suggested she tried to “block” the attacker.
Saadi pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mrs Gray and attempted murder of Ms Miles. He has accepted a charge of failing to comply with a notice requirement disclosure.
The trial continues.
