Cambridge Murder Trial: CCTV Captures Fatal Knife Attack on Saudi Student
Disturbing CCTV footage has been presented in court, showing the moment a young Saudi Arabian student was fatally stabbed in Cambridge during a late-night altercation outside a luxury accommodation block last year. The incident, which occurred just after midnight on August 2, resulted in the death of 20-year-old Mohammed Algasim, who was attending a language school summer camp in the historic city.
Prosecution Alleges Unprovoked and Senseless Violence
Opening the case at Cambridge Crown Court, prosecutor Nicholas Hearn stated unequivocally that Mr Algasim posed no threat to anyone. The defendant, 22-year-old Chas Corrigan, is portrayed as the aggressor in this tragic event. According to the prosecution, Corrigan approached Mr Algasim while holding a knife in his right pocket, ready to be used.
'This was an unprovoked and senseless act of violence. It was not an accident. It was not self-defence. It was murder,' Mr Hearn told the jury. He emphasised that Corrigan made a deliberate decision to use the knife to stab Mr Algasim, leading to fatal consequences.
Defence Claims Self-Defence and Intimidation
In contrast, defence barrister Jane Osborne KC argued that her client had no intention of using the knife to cause harm. She claimed Corrigan carried the weapon only to 'frighten off an attacker' and intended to intimidate and scare, rather than hurt. 'He accepts his actions resulted, regrettably, in the death of Mr Algasim,' Ms Osborne told the court.
Corrigan, who denies murder, admits taking Mr Algasim's life but maintains he acted in self-defence, fearing he was about to be attacked. The defence suggests that the defendant's actions were driven by a perceived threat, not premeditated violence.
Detailed Account of the Fatal Encounter
The CCTV footage, a central piece of evidence in the trial, shows Corrigan dressed in a yellow high-visibility jacket approaching a group of people outside the accommodation block near Cambridge railway station. He had spent the evening 'drinking and using drugs,' according to court testimony.
Mr Algasim was sitting on a low wall outside the entrance, smiling and chatting with friends, when Corrigan approached him. After a brief exchange, the defendant walked away but returned when Mr Algasim allegedly muttered something. Corrigan then shouted 'What did you say?' in an angry and aggressive manner, as described by the prosecution.
As Mr Algasim stood up, the CCTV captures Corrigan reaching into his right pocket to retrieve the knife. The footage immediately after shows Mr Algasim running away down the street, while Corrigan briefly follows before heading down a nearby pedestrianised area. Witnesses reported hearing screams during the shocking scene.
Medical Evidence and Witness Testimonies
A post-mortem examination revealed that the single wound struck Mr Algasim's carotid artery and jugular vein, causing massive haemorrhaging. This detail underscores the severity of the attack and its fatal outcome.
Witness Abdullah Saleh A Bin Shuail provided a statement to police, describing how Corrigan initially got within touching distance of Mr Algasim. After an exchange, the defendant walked towards the train station, but returned when Mr Algasim said something, with only the word 'centre' being audible. Corrigan then allegedly shouted aggressively before punching Mr Algasim hard to the left side of the neck, while holding a large knife in his right hand.
Background on the Defendant and Night's Events
The court heard that Corrigan had been drinking in a nearby pub, the Earl of Derby, where he showed the knife to another drinker, Stephen Papillon. Mr Papillon testified that he believed Corrigan carried the blade for self-defence, mentioning past experiences of being shot and stabbed. He described Corrigan as 'over-friendly' rather than badly behaved.
Simona Miksykte, a friend of the defendant, told the court that Corrigan was acting strangely that evening, being touchy and pushy in a sexual manner. She noted that he was a known cocaine user and speculated he may have taken drugs, as his behaviour seemed different from when he was merely drunk.
Aftermath and Arrest
Security guard Brandon Towns recounted running to help Mr Algasim after hearing a commotion, finding a friend screaming and crying beside him. Moments later, Corrigan allegedly shoulder-barged him before running away. Other CCTV footage showed the defendant discarding his jacket near the scene.
Corrigan was arrested in Cambridge the following day and refused to comment during police interviews. The trial continues as the jury deliberates over the conflicting accounts of self-defence and murder.
