Koci Selamaj, 36, travelled from Eastbourne to Kidbrooke’s Cator Park, where he hid in the bushes waiting for 28-year-old Sabina Nessa, a woman he did not know. He launched a brutal attack using a metal traffic warning sign as a weapon before dumping her body and driving home.
The Metropolitan Police conducted a large-scale investigation, gathering evidence from CCTV footage and forensic analysis. This led to Selamaj’s arrest and his guilty plea at the Old Bailey.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, the lead investigator, said: “Selamaj’s senseless attack robbed an innocent woman of her future. Her family and friends have had their lives shattered. Their strength to relive this in court is remarkable. This case was a team effort—key forensic evidence and CCTV footage left Selamaj no option but to plead guilty. It’s a relief for Sabina’s loved ones they didn’t have to endure a long trial.”
He added, “His actions struck fear into women across London who should feel safe in public spaces at any time. The Met is relentless in tackling violence against women and bringing offenders to justice.”
Helen Ellwood, CPS London Homicide prosecutor, said: “Sabina Nessa was just 28 when her life was cruelly ended by a calculated, predatory attack by Selamaj—a stranger who showed little remorse. His cowardice devastated a family and hurt everyone who loved Sabina.”
“Thanks to a meticulous police investigation, including extensive CCTV reviews and forensic work, we built a solid case leading to his guilty plea. The CPS remains committed to prosecuting violence against women and girls and hopes this conviction delivers some justice for Sabina’s family and friends.”
The Metropolitan Police have acknowledged rising fears following this and other violent crimes against women. They have vowed to keep violence against women their top priority through ongoing actions, including:
- Creating Predatory Offenders’ Units that have arrested over 2,500 suspects, half linked to domestic abuse, since November 2020.
- Deploying 650 new officers in Town Centre teams to increase police visibility in city centres and high streets.
- Launching and expanding ‘walk and talk’ schemes where officers accompany women to discuss unsafe areas city-wide.
- Increasing patrols in parks, transport hubs, and other hotspot locations across London.
- Partnering with the hospitality sector to promote safety initiatives such as ‘Ask for Angela’ in bars and clubs, training hundreds of staff to spot vulnerable people.
The Met has promised an updated Violence Against Women and Girls plan by the end of March, which will incorporate public feedback, independent reviews, and lessons from other police forces to improve safety on London’s streets.
Koci Selamaj will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 7 April.
Originally published by UKNIP.
