Robotics Student Jailed for Life in Housemate's Murder

Coughlan changed his plea to guilty on Tuesday during his trial at Bristol Crown Court. Justice Linden stated, "Your guilty plea came at a point in the trial when your conviction was inevitable."

CCTV footage from the house captured the attack and Coughlan's movements afterwards. Following the murder, Coughlan dumped his bike, bought new clothes, and disposed of his bloodstained clothing in a pond.

Both men were final year robotics students at UWE Bristol. Jamie Collins' family attended his graduation ceremony where he was awarded a 2:1 degree.

The prosecution claims Coughlan had planned Mr. Collins’ murder for weeks. Justice Linden told Coughlan, "I'm sure you were planning to kill Collins and had been for some time."

Coughlan bought black clothing and shoes on March 27 and made internet searches related to death. However, Coughlan claims Collins had previously threatened him.

Coughlan also claims Mr. Collins had expressed violent sentiment about highly wealthy individuals and said he wanted to kill the defendant. He further claimed he feared Collins, stating Collins had threatened to kill him and therefore he had 'no choice' but to wait for his housemate to return from university and stab him repeatedly.

Lisa Collins, Jamie's mother, claims Coughlan’s own insecurities and the reality that Zack Coughlan’s friends gravitated more towards Jamie made him feel threatened. She claims the loss of control in the case was Coughlan’s "control over his peer group and perceived popularity."

Lisa Collins also claims Zack Coughlan knew that Jamie was a better person than him and was jealous of Jamie’s integrity and strength. Coughlan, for his part, claims a difficult background that included physical violence from his father and his mother often working away for her job at Apple.