A 21-year-old man denied murdering a 20-year-old Saudi Arabian student who was fatally stabbed outside luxury serviced apartments in Cambridge but admitted possessing a bladed article, a court heard on Monday.
Chas Corrigan, 21, of Cambridge entered a not-guilty plea to the charge of murder at Cambridge Crown Court and admitted an alternative charge of carrying a bladed article in a public place. His father, Peter Corrigan, 50, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and was remanded into custody. Recorder Mark Bishop told the younger Corrigan that a trial on the murder charge is listed to begin on Feb. 2 next year and that sentencing for both offences will be dealt with after the trial.
Prosecutors say the victim, identified as 20-year-old Mohammed Algasim, was attacked at about 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 1 outside a block of smart, serviced apartments a short distance from Cambridge railway station. Three off-duty doctors attempted to save him and were joined by paramedics, but he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight, police said. During an earlier hearing a prosecutor said the victim suffered a wound to the neck that effectively nicked the jugular vein and other vital blood pathways.
Mohammed was in Cambridge on a 10-week placement with EF International Language Campuses, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, the school said. It expressed deep sadness at the death. Relatives travelled to Cambridge after being notified of the killing and arranged for his repatriation to his native country for burial according to his Muslim faith.
Cambridgeshire Police cordoned off the area after the attack while officers conducted inquiries. A second man, Peter Corrigan, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Neither defendant displayed emotion in court as they confirmed their names and addresses and entered their pleas.
Local residents placed floral tributes at the scene in the days after the killing. A neighbour who spoke to local media described students who use the public square during the university summer break as part of the community and said the group were "lovely, kind and polite." Another witness reported hearing prolonged screams on the night of the attack.
Mohammed's family released a statement describing him as a "dutiful son, a loving brother" and a kind-hearted young man who was respected by those who knew him. His uncle, Majed Abalkhail, said the family hoped the death would prompt reflection on public safety and added that many people had expressed concern about a perceived rise in violent crime in Britain.
Recorder Bishop told the court a further hearing will be held to determine the basis on which Peter Corrigan will be sentenced and that that will take place after the outcome of the murder trial. Police have said the investigation into the circumstances of the attack remains ongoing.
No trial evidence was heard at Monday's hearing. The prosecution will present its case at the scheduled trial in February, at which time the full facts and forensic findings will be examined in open court.