Murdered schoolteacher ‘oblivious’ to killer

Sabina Nessa, a murdered primary school teacher, looked “oblivious” to a garage worker rushing up behind her in a London park in September last year before he beat her 34 times over the head with a metal traffic triangle.

A court heard that the 28-year-old lady had expressed reservations about walking through Cator Park, Kidbrooke, after dark, but that she did so on the day of her murder after running late to meet a friend.

Koci Selamaj, 36, who had already pleaded guilty to murder, did not attend at the Old Bailey for sentence on Thursday afternoon, and the hearing proceeded in his absence.

Ms.Nessa taught a year one class at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford and was described by her sister as “wonderful, kind, (and) lovely.”

Her death sparked an outpouring of sadness and revived outrage in the UK about violence against women.

In court, a grainy video of Ms.Nessa’s attack in southeast London was presented, with the prosecution explaining how she appeared “oblivious” when Selamaj raced up behind her.

Mr. Justice Sweeney deferred the trial after hearing from prosecution and defence barristers, as well as an emotional statement from Ms. Nessa’s sister, until Friday, when he is likely to pronounce sentence.

A violent murder in a London park was recorded on CCTV.

Selamaj stalked Cator Park in Kidbrooke before targeting Ms Nessa, 28, as she walked through on her way to meet a friend on September 17, last year, according to a court hearing.

The awful moments when he attacked Ms Nessa, beating her over the head 34 times with a metal traffic triangle before hauling her away unconscious, were caught on CCTV.

Selamaj then pulled up her clothing, took off her tights and panties, strangled her, and covered her corpse with grass.

Her corpse was discovered about 24 hours later in the park near a community centre.

Detectives were looking for her killer as part of a murder inquiry, but it wasn’t until September 26 – nine days later – that Selamaj was apprehended in Eastbourne, East Sussex, where he lived.

Koci Selamaj, a garage worker, is being convicted of murder.

Selamaj has a history of violence towards his ex-partner, according to the prosecutor.

During the court on Thursday, prosecutor Alison Morgan QC stated that Selamaj had previously been aggressive towards his ex-partner, including strangling her.

Three days before murdering Ms. Nessa, the defendant reserved a stay at the five-star Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, where he already resided.

On September 17, he checked into the hotel and, two hours before the murder, texted his ex-girlfriend in an unsuccessful attempt to engage her in sexual activity.

Selamaj waited, looking to see whether anybody else was present before assaulting Ms Nessa.

He travelled up to London and arrived at Cator Park just after 8 p.m., where he waited for Ms Nessa on her way to a pub where she was supposed to meet a friend.

Ms. Nessa had previously expressed anxiety about going in the park after dark, but the prosecutor stated that it “looks probable” she opted to walk there that night because she was late and this was the fastest path.

Selamaj is seen strolling along the route with his hood up and the traffic sign in his hand in CCTV footage revealed in court.

He then runs into Ms. Nessa and turns around as they go by one other.

The court hears that she is “oblivious to him behind her” at this time.

He then runs up behind her and continuously hits her with the traffic sign.

Selamaj was afterwards observed taking Ms Nessa, who looked to be comatose at the time, up a bank and out of sight.

The prosecution claims that the killing had a sexual motivation.

On his way back to the south coast, he stopped at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and disposed of the murder weapon in the River Teise.

Ms. Morgan asked the court to find that the homicide had a sexual motivation, despite the fact that there was no “positive” proof of a sexual assault.

She stated that the attack “did not happen on the spontaneity of the moment” and that there was “substantial preparation.”

According to the court, a pathologist later stated that there was evidence of both blunt force injuries to her head and asphyxiation, either of which might have caused her death.

A vigil in remembrance of Sabina Nessa is attended by members of the public.

Sabina Nessa’s sister said, ‘She had the right to feel protected.’

Ms. Nessa’s sister, Jebina Yasmin Islam, sobbed as she delivered an emotional impact statement to the court.

“She had every right to be wandering down the route and having fun,” she explained.

“She had a right to feel secure.”

“I would do everything to hold her one more time,” she stated through tears.

Ms. Nessa’s school, according to headteacher Lisa Williams, is in “total shock” over her death, and she had a “full career ahead of her.”

Guilty plea rescued family from ‘harrowing’ trial, according to the defence.

Selamaj, who is originally from Albania, arrived to the UK around seven years ago after dropping out of school at the age of 12 with no credentials, according to his defence lawyer.

The defence argued that he should be sentenced based on the fact that he pled guilty to murder rather than allowing the matter to go to trial.

They stated that this has “spared [Sabina Nessa’s] family the stress of going through such a horrific trial.”

The killing ‘raised to the forefront the issue of women’s safety on the streets once more.’

Jebina Yasmin Islam broke down in tears a week later during a vigil in the park where her sister was slain, saying, “We have lost an outstanding, compassionate, beautiful sister who departed this world way too soon.”

Her uncle, Shahin Miah, claimed her killing “brought to the forefront the issue of women’s safety on the streets.”

Less than a month after Ms Nessa’s death, Home Secretary Priti Patel ordered an independent investigation into police “systemic failings” in the aftermath of Sarah Everard’s murder by a serving officer.

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