Student Pleads Not Guilty to Housemate's Fatal Stabbing in Bristol

Zack Coughlan, 23, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his housemate Jamie Collins, 21, who was found stabbed to death in Bristol. The trial is set for October 12.

Student Denies Murder Charge

A university student has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his housemate, who was fatally stabbed.

Zack Coughlan, aged 23, faces accusations of killing 21-year-old Jamie Collins at their shared residence on Cleve Road in Filton, Bristol, during the early hours of 9 April.

Emergency responders discovered the victim with multiple stab wounds in the rear garden of the property. Both individuals were students at the University of the West of England (UWE).

Family Handout Jamie Collins wearing a black, red and white patterned shirt and sunglasses on his head. He has shoulder length brown hair and piercings in his ears, eyebrow and nose. He appears to be sitting underneath a white marquee on a sunny day. — Jamie Collins, 21, was found dead from multiple stab wounds

Court Proceedings and Investigation Details

Coughlan entered a plea of not guilty during a hearing held at Bristol Crown Court, where a provisional trial date was scheduled for 12 October.

Avon and Somerset Police reported that Collins, originally from Swansea, had likely been deceased for several hours before being found.

University Statement

In an official statement, UWE described Collins, a robotics student, as an active participant in student societies and expressed its deep shock at the incident.