Full Breakdown
Fatal Stabbing of Saudi Student in Cambridge: Trial Underway
2/18/2026, 8:17:00 PM
Incident Overview
On August 1, 2025, Mohammed Algasim, a 20-year-old Saudi Arabian student, was fatally stabbed in the neck during an altercation outside a luxury accommodation block in Cambridge. The incident occurred shortly after midnight and was captured on high-quality CCTV footage. Chas Corrigan, 22, is currently on trial for murder, having admitted to the act but claiming it was in self-defense.
Details of the Altercation
The prosecution, led by Nicholas Hearn, asserts that Corrigan approached Algasim, who was sitting and chatting with friends, in an aggressive manner. Witnesses reported that Corrigan, who had been drinking and possibly using drugs earlier that evening, confronted Algasim after allegedly muttering something. The confrontation escalated when Corrigan shouted, "What did you say?" and subsequently punched Algasim before producing a knife and delivering a fatal stab wound that severed the carotid artery and jugular vein.
Witness Abdullah Saleh A Bin Shuail testified that he observed Corrigan getting within touching distance of Algasim and noted the defendant's aggressive demeanor. Following the stabbing, Algasim attempted to flee but collapsed shortly thereafter.
Defense Claims
Corrigan's defense attorney, Jane Osborne KC, contends that her client did not intend to kill Algasim. She argued that Corrigan carried the knife for self-defense, claiming he had been a victim of violence in the past. Osborne stated that Corrigan's intention was to intimidate rather than harm, asserting that he believed he was about to be attacked. The defense maintains that the incident was not premeditated and that Corrigan did not realize the knife had made contact with Algasim.
Eyewitness Accounts and Context
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with people screaming as the attack unfolded. A security guard who rushed to assist Algasim recounted the distress of those present, including friends of the victim. Another witness from the Earl of Derby pub, where Corrigan had been drinking, noted that he had shown off the knife earlier in the evening but did not appear threatening at that time.
Official Statements and Responses
Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn emphasized that Algasim posed no threat and described the act as "unprovoked and senseless." He characterized Corrigan as the aggressor who made a deliberate decision to use the knife. The trial is expected to continue for approximately two weeks, with the jury relying heavily on the CCTV footage to assess the events leading up to the stabbing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the prosecution maintains that the attack was unprovoked, the defense argues that Corrigan felt threatened by Algasim's actions. There are discrepancies in witness accounts regarding the nature of the interaction between the two men prior to the stabbing, highlighting the complexity of the case.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was not an accident. It was not self-defence. It was murder.” — Nicholas Hearn, Prosecutor
- “He had it with him so if he was attacked, as he had been in the past, he could frighten off any attacker.” — Jane Osborne KC, Defense Attorney
The trial continues as the court seeks to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
