University Student Sentenced to Life for 30‑Stabbed Murder of Housemate A 23‑year‑old robotics student was sentenced to life imprisonment after he stabbed his 21‑year‑old housemate 30 times in their Bristol flat garden, following a rent dispute and political clashes. The attacker had planned the act, carried out the murder in a quiet home garden, fled the scene on the victim's bike, and tried to mask his guilt before finally calling the police. The case highlights violence escalation among university students and the judicial response to pre‑meditated homicide. Zack Coughlan 23 was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 28 years after he stabbed his housemate Jamie Collins 21 a total of 30 times in the garden of their shared flat on the outskirts of Bristol on 8 April. The killing was the result of a prolonged dispute over rent and political differences that turned violent after Coughlan and Collins - both robotics students in their final year at the University of the West of England - had disagreements about who should pay for the rent of the property that Coughlan owned. The attacker, described by the court as having planned the murder for weeks, purchased a black outfit and a ski mask in late March and carried out a "careful and cold‑blooded execution" as said by prosecuting counsel.CCTV Footage Captures Attack SequenceOn the day of the murder he changed into a black costume in an alleyway, waited for about 20 minutes for Collins to return from university and then attacked him in the garden. CCTV footage captured the assault and showed the attacker leaving the victim's bike six minutes after the attack.After the murder he rode home on Collins' bike, disposed of his blood‑stained clothes in a pond and left the body alone in the garden until it was discovered by a neighbour. He then cooked a pizza, played online games and travelled to the police station eight hours later, claiming he had only just found Collins' body and was in distress.The defence lawyer acknowledged Coughlan initially denied the charge but entered a guilty plea during the trial at Bristol Crown Court. The judge, Mr Justice Linden, highlighted the tragedy of the loss of Collins, calling him a "gentle soul" described by friends as kind and considered. The court heard that Coughlan was half Danish, grew up in Cork and had moved to Bristol at 19 to study robotics.Rent Dispute and Political Views EscalateIt was revealed that the conflict between the two students worsened over rent and Collins' outspoken left‑wing views, with the judge dismissing claims that Collins had threatened Coughlan. The jury found Coughlan guilty of murdering Collins, who suffered more than 30 stab wounds to his front, back and neck. The judge's verdict has left a chilling reminder of how personal grievances can turn lethal when compounded by pre‑planned intent and personal animus.The case has been widely reported as an extreme example of domestic violence escalation in a university setting, with experts calling for better mental health support and conflict resolution resources for students living in shared accommodation. The sentence of life with a 28‑year minimum shows the courts' stance on the seriousness of premeditated murder, even among young adults.