Stranger on drugs stabbed Saudi student to death in Cambridge

Published: March 3, 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk . The English Chronicle Online

A British court has found a 22-year-old man guilty of murdering a Saudi student in an unprovoked knife attack in the historic city of Cambridge, a case that has shocked local residents and raised questions about street violence near university areas. Chas Corrigan, of Holbrook Road in Cambridge, was convicted at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday after jurors deliberated for just over two hours and found he intentionally killed Mohammed Algasim, a 20-year-old student from Saudi Arabia. The attack took place in the summer of 2025 while Algasim was studying English on a 10-week placement at a language school in the city.

The fatal stabbing occurred on the night of August 1, 2025, outside student accommodation close to Cambridge’s main railway station. Prosecutors told the court that Corrigan approached Algasim and stabbed him in the neck with a kitchen knife in what was described as a “senseless” and “unprovoked act of violence.” CCTV footage shown during the trial captured the moment Corrigan, seen wearing a high-visibility jacket, approached the group of students before the fatal attack.

Medical evidence presented at the trial showed that Algasim’s injuries were catastrophic. A single stab wound cut across vital blood vessels in his neck, causing massive bleeding that led to his death shortly afterwards. Prosecutors emphasised that Algasim “posed no threat to anybody” when he was attacked, and noted that he and Corrigan did not know each other prior to the incident.

Witness testimony and evidence indicated that Corrigan had spent the evening drinking at a local pub and may have taken drugs before the fatal encounter, although toxicology experts could not quantify the exact effects at the time of the stabbing. Corrigan admitted possessing the knife but denied that he intended to kill Algasim, telling jurors he had meant to wave it to deter an imagined threat — a defence the court rejected.

Al-Qasim’s family described him as a dedicated student who had travelled from Saudi Arabia to broaden his education and experience. The case prompted an outpouring of grief and condemnation from the student community and beyond, with many expressing concern about safety around university and accommodation areas.

Corrigan’s sentencing is expected this week, with the judge set to consider the severity of the crime and aggravating factors including the weapon-related nature of the killing and the impact on the victim’s family. Under UK law, murder convictions carry a mandatory life sentence, though the minimum term before eligibility for parole is determined by the court based on case details.

The shocking death of a young international student has revived debates over public safety in cities with large student populations and how authorities can prevent similar tragedies. Local police and community leaders have reiterated commitments to patrols and support for students, but the case highlights persistent concerns about random violence and the influence of alcohol and drugs in night-time environments.

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