A university robotics student has admitted to killing his housemate, Jamie Collins, 21, and leaving his body in an alleyway for nearly eight and a half hours before calling emergency services. Zack Coughlan, 23, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murdering Collins, stating he feared for his life during the incident.
Coughlan is accused of ambushing Collins, a fellow robotics student, as he returned home from the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol on April 8. Coughlan was reportedly dressed in black, wearing a mask and gloves. Collins, originally from Swansea, sustained approximately 30 stab wounds and died from his injuries.
During his trial at Bristol Crown Court, Coughlan testified that he accepted being the figure captured on CCTV footage committing the act. He also admitted to lying to police and friends about what had happened to Collins. "Horrible," was his response when asked how he felt about his actions.
Coughlan's defense argues that he acted in fear for his own life. He told the court that Collins had threatened him with a knife, stating that locking his bedroom door "wasn't going to help" and that he was "looking forward to killing" Coughlan. Coughlan described feeling "terrified" by these threats.
The dispute between the housemates reportedly stemmed from rent. Coughlan, who owned the house in Filton, South Gloucestershire, had initially charged his housemates £650 per month, which was later reduced to £600 and then £500. Coughlan stated that this money was used for property maintenance, including the purchase of white goods and dealing with issues like mold and rats. He claimed that Collins had become hostile, calling it "disgusting to charge your friends rent" and speaking of "exploitation."
Coughlan, who is half Danish and grew up in Ireland, moved to Bristol at 19 to study robotics. He described a stressful period leading up to Collins' death, attributing it to academic pressure. His mother had lent him £300,000 to purchase the three-bedroom house he shared with Collins and another student.
Evidence presented to the court indicated that Collins had planned to move out at the end of his studies in June. Following the incident, Coughlan allegedly disposed of his blood-stained clothing in a pond before contacting the police shortly after 2 a.m. on April 9, reporting that his friend had been stabbed.
Another flatmate, Charlie Latimer, testified that the three friends shared the same robotics course and engaged in social activities together, such as shopping, cooking, and playing games. Latimer described Collins as "very Left-wing" but not prone to arguments over political views. He acknowledged that Collins criticized large corporations, wealthy individuals, and landlords. Latimer also confirmed a "slight" disagreement over rent between Collins and Coughlan in the months prior to the incident.
Coughlan denies murder.