Man found guilty of murdering Cambridge student

A man has been found guilty of murdering a Cambridge student.

Chas Corrigan used a kitchen knife to stab 20-year-old Mohammed Yousef Algasim in the neck in Mill Park on the evening of 1 August.

Mohammed ran from the scene but collapsed moments later as a member of the public called for an ambulance.

Three off duty doctors and paramedics found Mohammed bleeding heavily on the pavement and despite best efforts to save him, his injury to his neck was so severe that he was pronounced dead at 12.19am.

The whole incident was captured on CCTV camera and showed 22-year-old Corrigan run from the scene.

A media appeal was launched hours after the incident and following a tip off from a member of the public, Corrigan was arrested.

Mohammed, from Saudi Arabia, was on a 10-week placement studying English in the city.

Throughout the trial, Corrigan, of Holbrook Road, Cambridge, accepted he was the man in the CCTV footage and had been carrying a knife to scare off any attackers but claimed he had no intention of using it.

He said he didn’t intend to cause harm but aimed to wave the knife between himself and the victim.

Following a two-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court, today (2 March), a jury took less than two hours to find Corrigan guilty of murdering Mohammed Yousef Algasim.

He is due to be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead, who led the investigation from the Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a senseless and devastating attack on a young man with his whole life ahead of him. Corrigan armed himself with a knife and chose to carry it onto the streets of Cambridge — a decision that had tragic consequences.
“I want to thank the members of the public who came forward, as well as the medical professionals who tried desperately to save Mohammed’s life. Our thoughts remain with his family, who have shown incredible strength throughout this investigation.”

In a statement, the family said: “Muhammad Yousef Algasim. A young man brimming with enthusiasm, brimming with chivalry and courage. He was a dutiful son, a loving brother, and the leader of the family in spirit, not in appearance. He was cheerful, chivalrous, pure of heart, quick to give, and passionate about others. Over time, he became the family's charisma, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy in every gathering. He was his father's support, his familiar companion, and the assistant to his uncles and maternal uncles. He was the most compassionate person to ever visit a mother's heart and the closest to his sisters' embrace.”

Anyone with information about someone carrying a knife is urged to report it to police online or call 101. In an emergency always call 999. For more information about knife crime, visit our website.