Murderer who strangled teacher in park attacks two prison officers

11 April 2024 , 17:30

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Koci Selamaj is serving at least 36 years in jail (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

An "evil" sexual predator who was jailed for at least 36 years for the murder of primary school teacher Sabina Nessa has admitted attacking two prison officers.

Garage worker Koci Selamaj, 36, was jailed for life in April 2022 for murdering Ms Nessa, 28, as she walked through Cator Park in Kidbrooke, South-East London. And on Thursday, Selamaj appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he admitted wounding one person with intent and assaulting another, causing actual bodily harm, court officials confirmed, with both offences taking place on May 8 last year.

It is understood the assault happened as Selamaj was being held at Frankland Prison, in County Durham. The court said that he will now be sentenced at the same court on June 14.

Sabina Nessa was killed as she walked through a park in South-East London (PA Media)

Selamaj refused to come to court when he was sentenced at the Old Bailey for Ms Nessa's murder, causing widespread outrage. That court heard how he travelled to London from the south coast to carry out the premeditated attack on a random woman on September 17, 2021.

He targeted Ms Nessa as she walked through the park to meet a friend. CCTV footage captured the moment Selamaj ran up behind her and hit her over the head 34 times with a 2ft-long metal traffic triangle. He carried her unconscious body up a grassy bank and out of view.

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He then pulled up her clothes, removed her tights and underwear, and strangled her before covering her body in grass. Ms Nessa, who taught a year one class at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, was found nearly 24 hours later near a community centre in the park.

Days later, Selamaj, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was arrested in the seaside town and pleaded guilty to murder. Mr Justice Sweeney said at the sentencing hearing that it was a "savage" sexually motivated attack. He said Ms Nessa was the "wholly blameless victim of an absolutely appalling murder which was entirely the fault of the defendant". Her death added to "the sense of insecurity" particularly felt by women walking through the city at night, he added.

PA