A 20-year-old man appeared in court charged with the murder of a personal trainer who was stabbed to death on a beach in Bournemouth – as the wife of his alleged victim watched on.
Amie Gray, 34, of Poole in Dorset, was killed on Durley Chine Beach at around 11.45pm on Friday, May 24. Another woman, 38-year-old Leanne Miles, was seriously injured in the same incident.
Nasen Saadi, from Croydon in south London, has been charged with the murder of Ms Gray and the attempted murder of Ms Miles.
Wearing a grey jumper, he spoke only to confirm his name and address during the short hearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody. Ms Gray’s wife Sian was in court to witness the proceedings.
Louise Holmes, prosecuting, said: ‘The Crown application is for the defendant to be remanded in custody as he is charged with murder and he has no right to bail today.’
His case was sent to Winchester Crown Court for a hearing to be held on Tuesday, June 4, and he was remanded in custody until then.
Paul Kemp, chairman of the magistrates’ panel, told Saadi: ‘You are being sent for trial at the crown court sitting at Winchester for the following offences – murder and attempted murder.
‘You will attend there on the 4th June for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
‘Due to the nature of the offences with which you are charged there is no prospect for bail being granted and you are remanded in custody until that time.’
Ogugua Ebuzoeme, representing Saadi, told the court: ‘It’s good to remind everyone that my client is innocent until proven guilty.’
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Friday following reports that two women from Poole had been stabbed.
Ms Gray died at the scene while a 38-year-old woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Dorset Police confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the injured woman had been discharged from hospital.
Detective Superintendent Richard Dixey, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said last night: ‘Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Amie Gray, as well as the woman who was seriously injured, and they have been updated with this latest development in our investigation.’
Ms Gray’s wife Sian Gray paid an emotional tribute to her spouse on Wednesday, in which she said: ‘Words cannot describe the pain that we feel. Amie was the most loving wife and mother.
‘Her giggly laugh and big smile will be hard to be without. A larger-than-life character. I will miss you immensely my love. To the moon and back, forever and always.’
Ms Gray’s mother, Sharon Macklin, called her daughter ‘beautiful inside and out’.
She said: ‘As a family we are devastated to have lost one of the most amazing, funny, kind and energetic souls.’
On Sunday, Sian and the couple’s daughter paid tribute to Ms Gray by sprinkling rose petals into the sea at sunset while looking up at the sky and telling her they loved her. She has also shared the police’s CCTV appeal.
Sian said: ‘Sunsets will always remind us of you Amie Gray. Forever loved wife and mother.’
Flowers were laid in tribute to the mother on the other side of the mile-long police cordon extending to Bournemouth Pier.
Ms Gray was the head ladies’ coach for Dorset Futsal Club where members said they ‘couldn’t put this into words at this time’.
The club’s profile picture was changed to a black square. A picture posted by one of Ms Gray’s relatives showed her with an award she had received for her work with the club.
‘Sometimes you meet a person in life that just fits, makes you feel seen and will always have your back,’ a club tribute read.
Amie was that person, loved by all and will be truly missed.’
Dorset Police, the local council and the Police & Crime Commissioner for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be holding a Facebook Live event on Wednesday night to assure the public about safety in the local area.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said last night: ‘I am deeply saddened by this devastating incident. My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Amie Gray, as well as with the woman who was seriously injured.
‘The grief and pain those affected will be feeling is unimaginable, and I want to send my condolences to them all.’
