Nasen Saadi will be tried for murder and attempted murder in November.

Charged: the court artist’s drawing of Nasen Saadi, as he appeared via video link

The 20-year-old from Croydon appeared at a brief hearing at Winchester Crown Court yesterday, charged with the murder of 34-year-old Amie Gray and the attempted murder of 38-year-old Leanne Miles at Durley Chine beach, Bournemouth, on May 24.

Gray, from Poole, died at the scene. Miles spent almost a week in hospital after suffering serious injuries, but has since been discharged.

Yesterday, Judge Paul Dugdale set the starting date for the trial as November 25, with a plea and trial preparation hearing on August 23. The case will be before Mrs Justice Cutts, and is expected to last three weeks.

Saadi, wearing a green and yellow jumper, appeared via video link from prison. The court heard that the defendant was “of good character with no previous convictions”.

Judge Dugdale told the defendant: “You are currently remanded in custody on what ultimately will be two allegations, one of murder and one of attempted murder.

“The prosecution will have served all the evidence and you will be visited in prison by your solicitors, and it’s extremely important that you engage with them and give them very clear instructions so they know what your case is.

“Between then and now you will remain remanded in custody.”

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