Full Breakdown
Filton Student Changes Murder Plea After 30-Stab Attack
By Drooid · · How we work
Murder and Plea Change
On April 8, 23-year-old university student Zack Coughlan attacked his 21-year-old housemate Jamie Collins in an alleyway beside the garden of their shared home in Filton, Bristol. Coughlan stabbed Collins more than 30 times, left the body outside for eight hours, and then called police. Although he initially denied murder, he admitted killing Collins and later altered his plea to guilty. He is scheduled to be sentenced for murder on the upcoming Wednesday.
Timeline of the Attack
- April 8 – Coughlan carries out the stabbing, leaves the victim’s body unattended for eight hours, and contacts authorities.
- Subsequent weeks – A murder trial proceeds at Bristol Crown Court while Coughlan maintains his original denial.
- Recent hearing – Coughlan formally changes his plea to guilty, prompting a pending sentencing date.
Victim and Perpetrator Background
- Jamie Collins – A 21-year-old student at the University of the West of England (UWE) who was preparing to return home to Swansea in a few weeks. His family described him as gentle and kind.
- Zack Coughlan – A 23-year-old resident of Cleve Road, Filton. He told jurors he feared Collins might kill him, a claim that formed the basis of his original defense.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Outlook
Coughlan’s guilty plea shifts the case from a contested murder trial to a sentencing phase. Under English law, a guilty plea typically results in a reduced sentence compared with a conviction after a full trial, though the exact term will be determined by the presiding judge at the Wednesday hearing.
Family Response
Collins’ relatives expressed sorrow, emphasizing his promising future at UWE and his plans to reunite with family in Swansea. Their statements underscored the personal loss behind the courtroom proceedings.