Murderer handed life sentence for student’s death

A man has received a life sentence for the murder of a student in Filton. 

Zack Coughlan, 23, will serve at least 28 years in prison for killing Jamie Collins on Wednesday 8 April. 

He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today (Wednesday 21 October) after changing his plea to guilty mid-trial yesterday. 

Mr Justice Linden said Coughlan had ‘ambushed’ Jamie after waiting more than 20 minutes in an alleyway to kill him with a knife, before fleeing the scene and trying to create a fake alibi to avoid justice. 

Jamie sustained approximately 30 knife wounds in the attack. His injuries were described as ‘unsurvivable’. 

Guilty plea

Coughlan made efforts to try to avoid being detected as Jamie’s killer, including dressing in all black and a mask to avoid being recognised, throwing away incriminating evidence, and pretending to police he had found Jamie’s body and did not know what had happened. 

When Coughlan did call police upon returning home to Cleve Road, it was more than eight hours after the murder. During the intervening period he had eaten a pizza and played online video games, all the while knowing Jamie’s body was at the bottom of his garden and waiting to be discovered. 

He lied to police and friends repeatedly to try to avoid being brought to justice. CCTV footage, among other evidence, discovered during the investigation however pointed to Coughlan being Jamie’s killer and he was arrested on 12 April. 

During the trial Coughlan admitted to being Jamie’s killer but initially denied murder. He changed his plea after the prosecution and defence evidence had been heard. 

Full details of the case can be found here: Man pleads guilty to student murder in Filton | Avon and Somerset Police

Sentencing remarks

The jury was told within the trial by the prosecution there was a significant amount of pre-planning by Coughlan, including buying the clothes he wore when committing the murder a fortnight before. 

Mr Justice Linden accepted there was a ‘significant amount of pre-planning’ and that Coughlan had been thinking about his plan to kill Jamie ‘for some time’. However, he said he could not be certain beyond all reasonable doubt the murder had been planned for days or weeks in advance. 

In mitigation, the court was told Coughlan had no previous convictions and that his attempts to dispose of evidence in a pond were ‘amateurish’ and ‘haphazard’. 

Mr Justice Linden, in sentencing, said the location and number of wounds Jamie sustained showed there was intent by Coughlan to kill his fellow student. 

He said: “He (Jamie) was caught totally unaware by you and was utterly defenceless.” 

He dismissed Coughlan’s evidence in court that Jamie had previously threatened him, describing Jamie as a ‘gentle soul’. 

Mr Justice Linden said no-one will know why Coughlan killed Jamie and agreed there were several aggravating factors. 

Coughlan will serve a minimum of 28 years in prison, minus what the time he spent on remand ahead of the trial, before he can be considered eligible for release. 

Mr Justice Linden praised the detectives involved in the investigation and drew particular attention to the ‘painstaking CCTV enquiries’ and phone work that had brought Coughlan to justice. He also recognised the efforts of officers attending the murder scene. 

‘Bright student’

In a statement issued yesterday, Jamie’s family said: “Jamie was incredibly bright and he had a promising future ahead of him. He had only two pieces of coursework to complete for his robotics degree before he was going to come home in a matter of weeks. 

“Jamie had accumulated enough results that he was awarded a 2:1 degree. We were pleased to see his friends collect their degrees, but it was another emotional and painful reminder of what we have lost.” 

Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Edgeworth said: “Zack Coughlan repeatedly lied in order to protect himself and finally admitted his guilt yesterday after months of denial. 

“He has received a life sentence for the ferocious murder he committed and will serve a minimum of 28 years behind bars. 

“The court proceedings may have concluded today, but it’s important to recognise the pain Jamie’s family and friends have experienced does not sadly magically disappear. 

“They are a wonderful family and have shown incredible courage and dignity across the past six months, both during our investigation and sat in court every day too. 

“The trial has heard a lot of distressing evidence about Jamie’s final days. I hope that going forward people remember Jamie for the young man he was – a bright young student, who was loved by all who were lucky to know him.”