‘It wasn’t her time to go’: Father of Johanita Dogbey speaks out as murderer is jailed for life

A man who killed a “random” woman with a makeshift blade made of scissors and broken glass has been sentenced to life in prison.

Mohammed Nur, 34, of Bond Way, Vauxhall, who carried out four knife attacks resulting in the murder of Johanita Dogbey in Brixton last year, was yesterday sentenced to life with a minimum of 32 years.

In a statement read out to the court, Johanita’s father said: “Johanita passing, so violently, has left a big hole in our lives and a massive hole in our hearts. It wasn’t her time to go.

“There are parts of your heart you could never imagine could feel so much pain unless you go through the loss we have gone through. 

“It is not possible to fully explain how much this has impacted our family and all of us individually. 

Video showing the stop and search of Mohammed Nur, which found the makeshift blade (Picture: The Met)

“Though we will remember her as the beautiful, caring, funny and bubbly daughter, sister and friend she was, her murder and death will always be one of the hardest realities we will have to live with. 

“We are the ones with the life sentence now.”

Ms Dogbey, 31, was stabbed in broad daylight in Stockwell Park Walk on May 1, 2023.

She was caught unaware when attacked from behind by a man wearing dark clothing, and died at the scene. 

Nur admitted to Ms Dogbey’s murder, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a blade at a hearing at the Old Bailey on November 17, 2023. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, local policing commander for Lambeth, said: “Mohammed Nur’s heinous actions, which culminated in Johanita Dogbey’s murder, left the local community across Lambeth understandably shocked and in fear. 

“While Nur has been convicted for his crimes, I know it will do little to ease the pain that Johanita’s family and friends continue to suffer.”

On May 13, Nur was found guilty of three counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) during a trial at the same court. 

These offences related to three assaults in which Nur slashed the faces of two women and a man within five minutes, between 11.25pm and 11.29pm, in Brixton on April 29, 2023. Two days before he attacked Johanita.

Nur was arrested by officers following a stop and search in Brixton Hill in the early hours of May 2. He was interviewed by police about all four offences but refused to answer any questions put to him by police.

Police had recovered the weapon used in the attack on Ms Dogbey, which had been discarded as Nur fled the scene. 

Forensic examination revealed traces of Ms Dogbey’s blood on it, as well as Nur’s DNA on a piece of fabric used to hold the weapon together.

When Nur was arrested, he was found to be wearing distinctive clothing that matched that worn by the suspect captured on CCTV on the night of April 29, and also the man seen to attack Ms Dogbey.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Webb, the senior investigating officer who led the investigation into Nur, said:  “Mohammed Nur has been jailed for four violent offences, carried out at random in terrifying circumstances. 

“I realise nothing can alleviate the pain and suffering that Johanita’s family continue to endure, but I hope they – and the three other people Nur attacked and injured – can take some comfort from the fact he has been convicted and will spend a lengthy period of time in prison.

“Following these incidents, extra officers were drafted into the Brixton area to provide reassurance to the local community and support the investigation.”

Pictured top: Johanita Dogbey (Picture: The Met)