Sabina Nessa
(Picture: PA Media)The sister of murdered teacher Sabina Nessa has condemned Priti Patel for failing to support female victims of violence, according to a report.
Garage worker Koci Selamaj chased the 28-year-old and bludgeoned her over the head with a metal traffic triangle, before dragging her unconscious body into the undergrowth and strangling her in Kidbrooke, south-east London.
On Friday, a judge concluded the murder had been sexually motivated by a “predator” as he ordered Selamaj to serve at least 36 years of a life sentence.
Following the sentencing, Ms Patel, the Home Secretary, tweeted: “Sabina Nessa lost her life due to the harrowing and callous actions of a man who’s rightly now behind bars.
"While I can’t possibly know how Sabina’s family and friends are feeling, I hope today’s sentence brings them a small comfort, knowing this evil monster has faced justice.
"As Home Secretary, tackling violence against women and girls is central to my Beating Crime Plan and I am doing everything in my power to target perpetrators, protect the public and make our streets safer for everyone.”
However according to the BBC, Ms Nessa’s sister Jebina Islam responded by criticising Ms Patel over her “lack of support”.
The broadcaster reported Ms Islam said: "You don’t know what we as a family are going through and to be honest you haven’t even bothered to ask since the death of my sister.
"Lack of support from yourself and Boris Johnson just shows how ‘important’ it is to tackle male violence to you guys".
The Home Office declined to comment.
The murder of Ms Nessa, on September 17 last year, came six months after the killing of Sarah Everard, highlighting once again the dangers that women can face when walking alone at night.
The year one teacher at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford had set out that evening to meet a friend at the Depot Bar, and decided to cut through Cator Park as she was running late.
She passed Selamaj - armed with the 2ft metal triangle – and chilling CCTV caught the moment he turned around and launched the horrifying attack.
The judge on Friday asked Selamaj’s lawyer if the killer could explain the murder, but was told: “He will forever remain silent”.
Ms Nessa’s sister Jabina told the absent defendant: “You are an awful human being and do not deserve your name to be said. You are a disgusting animal.”
Branding him a “coward”, she fought back tears before asking: “We just want answers to why you killed her. Why?”
Ms Nessa’s parents Abdur Rouf and Azibun Nessa told Selamaj: “You had no right to take her away from us in such a cruel way.
“The moment the police officer came to our house and told her she was found dead our world shattered into tiny pieces.
“How could you do such a thing to an innocent girl walking by, minding her own business. You are not a human being, you are an animal.”
The court heard Selamaj, who worked in the Esso garage in Lewes, had turned violent in his marriage in the months before the murder.
His ex-wife told police how he had twice grabbed her around the throat, and she left the marriage when fearing for her life.
Selmaj pleaded guilty to murder and was absent from court as he was jailed for life.
