A 21-year-old man will deny murdering a Saudi Arabian student who was stabbed to death in Cambridge and plans to argue self-defence, a court has heard. Mohammed Algasim, 20, died in Mill Park, a street near the city's main train station, late on August 1 in what police believe was an "unprovoked attack".
Chas Corrigan, from Cambridge, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place. Gavin Burrell, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Algasim was slashed in the neck and bled out at the scene.
Defence strategy revealed
Shahnawaz Khan, defending, told the court Corrigan intends to plead not guilty to murdering Mr Algasim and that he has said he will argue self-defence. A plea hearing was scheduled for September 8, with a provisional trial date set for February 9 next year.
In a statement issued through police, Mr Algasim's family said he was a "young man brimming with enthusiasm, brimming with chivalry and courage". They added: "He was cheerful, chivalrous, pure of heart, quick to give, and passionate about others."
Tributes left at scene
EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, previously said it was "deeply saddened" to confirm one of its adult students had died. A message, on a piece of paper taped to a barrier behind the floral tributes in Mill Park, said "may your soul be at peace" and had heart shapes drawn on it.
It also said "inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un", which is an Arabic phrase meaning "to God we belong and to Him we return".
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
