Bournemouth beach stabbings: More time to question murder suspect

Police have had more time to interview a 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of stabbing two women on a beach.

Amie Gray, a 34-year-old personal trainer, died at the scene, while a 38-year-old woman was taken to hospital with serious stab wounds. She has since been discharged.

The pair, from Poole, Dorset, were attacked on Bournemouth’s Durley Chine beach at around 11.45pm BST last Friday.

The man, from Croydon, London, was arrested by officers in the capital on Tuesday. Police were granted an extension of custody by a magistrate to continue questioning him.

The suspect, who was held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, was flown from London to Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Two locations in the town were examined and forensically searched, according to Dorset Police.

Officers also searched two separate addresses in Croydon.

Det Supt Richard Dixey, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, described the case as “fast moving” and “extensive”.

An increased police presence will remain in the area until the weekend, the force added.

Ms Gray’s cause of death was recorded as multiple stab wounds when her inquest opened at Bournemouth Coroner’s Court.

Her wife Sian said she would be “hugely missed”, adding: “Her giggle and big smile will be hard to miss.”

Sharon Macklin, Mrs Gray’s mother, described her as “amazing, funny and kind”, with an “energetic soul”.

Dorset Futsal Club, a women’s indoor football team where Ms Gray was head coach, said she was “absolutely devastated”.

A 17-year-old was initially arrested on suspicion of murder, but has since been released without charge.

The Lancashire teenager has been ruled out of the enquiries, police said.