Jamie Collins, a 21-year-old final-year student at the University of the West of England (UWE), was murdered by his housemate Zack Coughlan, 23, near Bristol on 8 April. Coughlan ambushed Collins in their garden, stabbing him 30 times before leaving him to die in an alleyway. Coughlan initially denied the murder but later pleaded guilty during his trial at Bristol Crown Court. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years.
The attack was described by police as a "pre-planned, cold-blooded execution," though the exact motive remains unclear. While Coughlan claimed fear of Collins and cited political differences and a rent dispute, the judge rejected these claims, noting Collins was a gentle individual averse to conflict. Collins' family expressed profound grief, highlighting the lasting impact of his death. UWE remembered Collins as a "natural engineer" close to completing his degree.
Read the full story: BBC UK News.
Source: BBC UK News. Aggregated summary, not independent reporting.