Man, 20, accused of stabbing personal trainer Amie Gray, 34, to death and trying to kill a second woman, 38, on Bournemouth beach is described as a young man of 'good character' as he appears in court ahead of murder trial
A 20-year-old man who stands accused of murdering personal trainer Amie Gray and attempting to kill a second woman was described as a young man 'of good character' as he appeared in court on Tuesday.
Nasen Saadi, who was arrested in Croydon and was wearing a green and yellow jumper, appeared by video link from prison for the short hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday morning.
He is charged with the murder of 34-year-old Ms Gray at Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff, Promenade, on May 24 and the attempted murder of 38-year-old Leanne Miles at the same location.
The court heard that the defendant was 'of good character with no previous convictions'.
Judge Paul Dugdale set a date for the trial to start on November 25, with a plea and trial preparation hearing on August 23.
Alleged murder victim Amie Gray (left) is pictured with her wife Sian Gray (right), who was in court on Tuesday
Winchester Crown Court heard Nasen Saadi, 20, from Croydon is 'of good character' and has no prior convictions
He told the defendant: 'You are currently remanded in custody on what ultimately will be two allegations, one of murder and one of attempted murder.
'The court has fixed a trial date of 25th November before Mrs Justice Cutts and that has a time estimate of three weeks.
'The next hearing of this case will be on the 23rd August this year, between now and then there will be a lot of activity going on in the case.
'The prosecution will have served all the evidence and you will be visited in prison by your solicitors, and it's extremely important that you engage with them and give them very clear instructions so they know what your case is.
'They can only do a good job for you if you give them clear instructions.
'The matter will come back for a further hearing, a PTPH (plea and trial preparation hearing) when you will be arraigned and asked if you are guilty or not guilty, and that hearing will be on 23rd August this year.
'Between then and now you will remain remanded in custody.'
Amie's wife Sian, with whom she shared a daughter, was at court on Tuesday to attend the hearing
Sian Gray also attended a hearing at Poole Magistrates Court on Saturday to see Saadi charged with her wife's murder
Dorset Police received a report at 11.42pm on May 24 that two people had been stabbed on Durley Chine Beach.
Ms Gray, from Poole, died at the scene. Today, her wife Sian attended the proceedings and watched on from the public gallery.
Ms Miles, also from Poole, was taken to hospital after suffering serious injuries, and has since been discharged.
Detective Superintendent Richard Dixey, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said last week: 'Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Amie Gray, as well as the woman who was seriously injured, and they have been updated with this latest development in our investigation.'
Ms Gray's wife Sian Gray paid an emotional tribute to her spouse on Wednesday, in which she said: 'Words cannot describe the pain that we feel. Amie was the most loving wife and mother.
'Her giggly laugh and big smile will be hard to be without. A larger-than-life character. I will miss you immensely my love. To the moon and back, forever and always.'
Ms Gray's mother, Sharon Macklin, called her daughter 'beautiful inside and out'.
She said: 'As a family we are devastated to have lost one of the most amazing, funny, kind and energetic souls.'
Personal trainer Ms Gray was killed and another seriously injured at Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff, Promenade
Amie Gray, 34, (pictured) of Poole in Dorset, was killed on Durley Chine Beach at around 11.45pm on Friday, May 24
Sian and the couple's daughter paid tribute to Ms Gray by sprinkling rose petals into the sea at sunset while looking up at the sky and telling her they loved her.
Sian said: 'Sunsets will always remind us of you Amie Gray. Forever loved wife and mother.'
Flowers were laid in tribute to the mother on the other side of the mile-long police cordon extending to Bournemouth Pier.
Ms Gray was the head ladies' coach for Dorset Futsal Club where members said they 'couldn't put this into words at this time'.
The club's profile picture was changed to a black square. A picture posted by one of Ms Gray's relatives showed her with an award she had received for her work with the club.
'Sometimes you meet a person in life that just fits, makes you feel seen and will always have your back,' a club tribute read.
'Amie was that person, loved by all and will be truly missed.'