A jury at the British Crown Court in Cambridge has found the defendant guilty of the murder of Saudi student Mohammed al-Qassim after a weeks-long trial, concluding that premeditated murder was proven and rejecting the defendant’s defense that he acted in self-defence.
The decision came after jurors deliberated over evidence presented by prosecutors, including CCTV recordings and witness testimony, before concluding that he was guilty.
Details of the bloody night
Construction worker Chase Corrigan, 22, was found guilty of stabbing Saudi student Mohammed al-Qassim, 20, to death just before 11:30pm on August 1, 2025, as he sat with friends outside student housing near the city’s main train station.
Prosecutors said the defendant attacked Al Qassim with a kitchen knife after a “night of drinking and drug use.” The defendant admitted in court to possessing the knife, but denied intending to kill and claimed he only waved it to threaten.
Surveillance camera reveals moment of collision
The court was shown a recording of the final moments before the stabbing, in which the defendant appeared wearing a fluorescent jacket, approached Al Qasim and had a conversation with him, then left, returned and entered into a verbal altercation.
After spending time at a bar, the defendant headed to the train station, during which time he consumed a large amount of alcoholic beverages and also used cocaine twice. He claimed that he possessed the knife “in self-defense” because he had been assaulted in the past.
He told the jury he thought Alkassim was going to hurt him and pulled out a knife “to scare him,” but footage showed the victim running before falling to the ground injured.
He was stabbed in the neck and rescue attempts were in vain.
At a previous trial, prosecutors said the stab wound went 4 inches deep into the victim’s neck, rupturing the jugular vein and causing profuse bleeding. A number of off-duty doctors intervened and administered first aid, but attempts to save him were unsuccessful.
Mandatory life sentence…and judge sets minimum sentence
Under British law, the penalty for premeditated murder is a mandatory life sentence, with judges setting minimum sentences ranging from 25 to 30 years depending on the circumstances of the case.
The court will announce at a later date the date it will hand down the final verdict on the convicts, who showed no emotion the moment their convictions were announced.
A jury at Britain’s Crown Court in Cambridge found him guilty of the murder of Saudi Arabian student Mohammed al-Qassim after a trial that lasted several weeks, rejecting his claim that he acted in self-defence and concluding that the murder charge had been proven.
The decision came after a lengthy session during which jurors debated evidence presented by prosecutors, including surveillance footage and witness testimony, ultimately leading to a guilty verdict for the criminal offenses.
Bloody Night Details
Construction worker Chas Corrigan, 22, was found guilty of stabbing to death Saudi Arabian student Mohammed al-Qassim, 20, as he sat with friends outside a student residence near the city’s main train station just before 11:30pm on August 1, 2025.
Prosecutors said the defendant attacked Al Qassim with a kitchen knife after a “night of drinking and drug use.” The defendant admitted in court to possessing the knife, but denied intending to kill and claimed he only brandished it to scare the victim.
Surveillance camera reveals moment of confrontation
The court was presented with a recording of the final moments before the stabbing, showing the defendant approaching Al-Qassim in a fluorescent jacket, exchanging words with him, then walking away and starting the argument again.
The defendant said he was on his way to the station after spending time in a pub, during which time he used cocaine twice and consumed several alcoholic drinks. He claimed that he carried the knife for “self-defense” because he had been assaulted in the past.
He told the jury he believed Mr Al Qassim was trying to harm him and pulled out the knife “to scare him”, but footage showed the victim running before falling to the ground injured.
Stung in the neck and rescue attempt failed
At a previous trial, prosecutors said the stab wound penetrated the victim’s neck to a depth of 11.5 centimeters, rupturing the jugular vein and causing significant blood loss. Several doctors attending after hours attempted to administer first aid, but attempts to save him were unsuccessful.
Mandatory life sentence…judge sets minimum sentence
Under British law, the penalty for murder is a mandatory life sentence, with judges deciding on a minimum term of 25 to 30 years depending on the circumstances of the case.
The court, which will announce the final sentencing date for the convicted person at a later date, showed no emotion at the moment of announcing the guilty verdict.
