Friend of Slain Saudi Student Feared He Would Be Next Victim in Cambridge Street Attack
A close friend of the Saudi student who was fatally stabbed in the neck by a stranger on a Cambridge street has revealed to a court that he genuinely believed he would be the next victim in the shocking incident. Abdullah Saleh A Bin Shuail was standing just feet away from Mohammed Algasim when the 20-year-old English language summer school student was attacked by Chas Corrigan, aged 22, outside a luxury accommodation block in the historic city.
Defendant Admits Killing but Denies Murder Charge
Jurors at Cambridge Crown Court have been informed that Corrigan openly admits to causing the death of Mr Algasim; however, he vehemently denies the charge of murder. The defendant asserts that he was acting in self-defence during the altercation that occurred on the night of August 1 last year. The prosecution, led by Nicholas Hearn, has countered this claim, describing the stabbing as "an unprovoked and senseless act of violence" and insisting that Mr Algasim posed no threat to anyone.
Mr Bin Shuail, who knew the victim as they both hailed from the same country, provided a harrowing account of the events. He described how Mr Algasim had been "smiling and chatting" with fellow students while seated on a low wall outside the entrance to the student accommodation. Corrigan, dressed in a distinctive yellow high-visibility jacket and "dirty" shorts, approached after an evening involving drink and drugs, according to the prosecution.
Witness Describes Frightening Moments Leading to the Stabbing
The witness noted that Corrigan was "not walking in a normal way" and was "swinging from side to side" as he engaged in a quiet conversation with Mr Algasim. After initially walking away toward the railway station, Corrigan turned back when the victim said something that included the word "centre". Mr Bin Shuail recounted that Corrigan became "wound up", shouting, "What did you say? What did you say?" while getting close to Mr Algasim's face.
Despite the escalating tension, Mr Algasim remained calm until he stood up, leading to a face-to-face confrontation. The two men suddenly separated without any physical pushing, at which point Corrigan allegedly retrieved a knife from his pocket and struck Mr Algasim on the left side of his neck. "At the time I thought it was a punch," Mr Bin Shuail testified, adding that the force was so severe it knocked the victim's cap off.
Upon seeing blood on the blade, Mr Bin Shuail realised it was a stabbing. Corrigan then looked directly at him and said, "What you gonna do?", which the witness interpreted as a direct threat. Seconds later, Mr Algasim collapsed after attempting to run away down the street, and he was pronounced dead just after midnight on August 2.
Shocking CCTV Footage and Additional Evidence Presented
Jurors have viewed disturbing CCTV footage capturing the incident, showing Corrigan running away through a pedestrianised area after the attack. The footage also reveals him reaching into his shorts pocket where he kept the knife used in the killing. During cross-examination by Jane Osborne KC, Mr Bin Shuail acknowledged that the initial interaction between Corrigan and Mr Algasim appeared friendly but denied hearing any conversation about a lighter or the phrase "See you later bruv".
Further testimony has shed light on Corrigan's activities earlier that evening. Simona Miksykte, a female friend, stated that he "may have taken drugs" and attempted to grope her and a neighbour. Corrigan had also visited the Earl of Derby pub, where fellow drinker Stephen Papillon reported seeing the knife and assuming it was for self-defence, as Corrigan mentioned past experiences of being shot and stabbed.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that Mr Algasim died from a single stab wound that severed the carotid artery and jugular vein, resulting in massive haemorrhaging. The trial continues as the court deliberates on whether the killing constituted murder or was an act of self-defence.
