Judge slams school teacher Sabina Nessa’s “coward” murderer as garage worker is jailed for life

A garage worker has been jailed for life for the murder of 28-year-old primary school teacher Sabina Nessa.

Koci Selamaj, 36, of Terminus Road, Eastbourne, drove from the South Coast to Cator Park in Kidbrooke on September 17 last year, where he carried out the attack.

Sentencing Selamaj at the Old Bailey today, Mr Justice Sweeney said that he had carried out an “absolutely appalling murder” and that he will now serve at least 36 years in jail.

The judge said Ms Nessa was “wholly blameless” and had been the victim of “an absolutely appalling murder which was entirely the fault of the defendant”.

He said: “She had every right, as her family said, to be walking through the park all glammed up and out to enjoy herself after a long week at work. The defendant robbed her and them of her life.”

The judge added that it was “cowardly” of Selamaj not to attend the sentencing and face Ms Nessa’s family, but he added he had no power to force him to do so.

Selamaj entered the park and carried out a ferocious and sexually motivated attack on Ms Nessa, of Astell Road, Catford, and who taught at Rushey Green Primary School in Culverley Road, Catford, before fleeing the scene.

At around 5.20pm the following day a man walking his dog in Cator Park discovered a body partially covered with long grass.

The victim was identified as Ms Nessa, who lived in a flat which overlooked the park.

Ms Nessa had left her flat shortly after 8.30pm the previous evening to meet a friend at a bar in Kidbrooke Village.

Police said it was likely that she had only gone through the park as she was running late, and this was the quickest route to the venue.

Grainy footage from inside the park showed Ms Nessa walking down the path when a hooded man passed her, looked in her direction and then ran quickly towards her.

Ms Nessa was unaware of the man approaching until the last minute when, as she started to turn, he violently struck her over the head.

He hit her 34 times in quick succession and with such force that parts of the weapon shattered and fell to the ground.

Following CCTV examinations, police were eventually led to a silver or beige Nissan Micra, who a man in the park had made his way back to.

When officers discovered a car of that description registered in the name of Koci Selamaj, it immediately aroused suspicion.

The car had been in the Eastbourne area for a year prior to the murder until it had suddenly travelled to London for a four-hour period on the night of the murder and then back to Eastbourne in the hours afterwards.

Further checks provided a phone number for Selamaj and analysis of the number showed an identical journey to that made by the car that evening.

Selamaj was arrested at home on September 26 and clothing matching that seen on CCTV was found in the property.

Bloodstained trainers were also seized. The blood proved a DNA match to Ms Nessa.

Selamaj initially denied responsibility but admitted his crime in February this year, as a trial was about to start.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who led the investigation, said: “Selamaj is a dangerous and violent offender who has never shown any remorse for his heinous actions.

“He carried out a premeditated and brutal murder and for that he will spend the vast majority of his life in prison.”

“We have heard today from Sabina’s family and the devastating impact this has had on all of their lives.

“They have continued to astound us with their dignity and bravery and our thoughts remain with them.

“Those who knew Sabina were not the only ones affected by her murder. Her death struck at the heart of the fears of many women who should have the right to walk in our open spaces safely, no matter the time of day or the location.”