Housemate jailed for 28 years for brutal murder

Zack Coughlan has been jailed for a minimum of 28 years for the murder of his housemate, Jamie Collins. Mr Collins, a 21-year-old robotics student at UWE Bristol, was stabbed more than 30 times in the garden of their home in Filton, South Gloucester, on April 8. Bristol Crown Court heard that Coughlan had planned the killing for weeks, purchasing disguise items and researching online.

Coughlan, 23, pleaded guilty to murder ahead of the jury retiring to consider their verdict, after the trial judge ruled that a defence of manslaughter by loss of control was not applicable. The court was told that Coughlan dressed in black, wore a ski mask and gloves to ambush Mr Collins as he returned home shortly before 6pm. The attack was captured on CCTV installed by Coughlan himself.

Carefully planned execution

Prosecuting counsel Adam Vaitilingam KC described the killing as a "carefully planned and cold-blooded execution", a description with which the judge, Mr Justice Linden, agreed. Evidence presented to the court indicated Coughlan had purchased black clothing and shoes on March 27 and conducted internet searches such as "what corpse looks like". On the day of the murder, he changed into his disguise in a nearby alleyway and lay in wait for Mr Collins for over 20 minutes.

Following the attack, Coughlan used Mr Collins' bicycle to leave the scene, abandoning it at a retail park. He then disposed of bloodstained clothing and the murder weapon by throwing them into a duck pond. He returned to the shared home, ate pizza, and played online games with friends before dialling 999 just after 2am, claiming he had discovered Mr Collins' body. The judge noted Coughlan's "callous behaviour" and his subsequent "calculating, cynical and manipulating" lies to the police.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Collins, who was from Swansea, had sustained over 30 stab wounds to his front, back, and neck. Mr Justice Linden stated that the precise motive for the killing would likely never be known. He rejected Coughlan's claims that Mr Collins had expressed violent sentiments towards wealthy individuals or had threatened him, describing Mr Collins as a "gentle soul".

Impact on family and friends

Mr Collins' family described Coughlan's evidence as "excruciating" and "full of lies", an attempt to "discredit and defame Jamie’s excellent character". In a statement read to the court, his stepmother, Lisa Collins, suggested Coughlan's actions stemmed from his own insecurities and jealousy of Mr Collins' integrity and popularity within their peer group. The devastating impact of Mr Collins' death was highlighted, with many of his friends attending every day of the trial.

Mr Collins was nearing the completion of his robotics degree at UWE Bristol and was due to return home to Swansea at the end of April. His family attended his graduation ceremony, where he was awarded a 2:1 degree based on his accumulated results. Coughlan had no previous convictions, and friends expressed shock at his actions.

Mr Justice Linden sentenced Coughlan to life imprisonment, ordering him to serve a minimum of 28 years. The judge acknowledged the profound and lasting emotional scars inflicted upon Mr Collins' family.