Alex Stein, leading Emma Kutner, prosecutes murder trial

On 9th December 2025 Codey Nolan was unanimously convicted of murdering Hassan Bousanguar at Basildon Crown Court.

In May 2024, Mr Nolan kicked and stamped on Mr Bousanguar’s head and face in a brutal assault which caused a catastrophic brain injury from which Mr Bousanguar never regained consciousness. He died 7 months later.

The case was unusual as Mr Nolan was convicted of causing GBH with intent in November 2024 before Mr Bousanguar died. At the first trial, Mr Nolan suggested that he had not been present when Mr Bousanguar was assaulted. During his subsequent trial for murder, Mr Nolan advanced a new defence of self-defence.

The prosecution successfully applied to reverse the burden of proof under s.74 PACE.

Mr Nolan, who earlier pleaded guilty to offences of Class A drug supply, also had a history of violent offending. He was unanimously convicted after less than 2 hours deliberation.

It was the last trial of Resident Judge Her Honour Judge Leigh at Basildon before her move to Ipswich Crown Court. Her Honour Judge Leigh jailed Mr Nolan for life with a minimum term of 23 years.

Alex and Emma were instructed by Andrew Young of the Complex Crime Unit of the CPS.

Read more here:

Basildon man jailed for murder inside block of flats in Vange – BBC News

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/25688035.basildon-murderer-handed-life-sentence-vange-death