Man Jailed for Life for Murdering Ex-Partner Days After Prison Release

Robert Sabat, 60, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his former partner, Dickiesha Nurse, whom he stabbed to death in her home days after his release from prison. Sabat had moved into Ms. Nurse's home upon his release and ignored her requests for him to leave.

Sabat was serving a 12-month sentence for possession of a knife and harassment of another former partner. He was released on October 17, 2025, after serving less than half of his sentence, a practice implemented to alleviate pressure on crowded prisons. He had been sentenced at Kingston Crown Court the day prior for an incident on May 1, 2025, involving two knives and harassment.

Ms. Nurse's children visited her on October 19, noting that Sabat, referred to as a 'friend or cousin,' had been present. Three days later, Ms. Nurse sought refuge at a neighbor's home, requesting to use a phone to contact police and stating Sabat was at her house and refusing to leave. She later told the neighbor that she no longer needed police assistance as Sabat had departed. However, another neighbor reported hearing Ms. Nurse shouting from her home, "get out of my house."

When Ms. Nurse's children attempted to visit again on October 26, they were unable to reach her. It is believed she may have already been deceased inside the home. Her mother, Claudette McBean, and the children's father, Carlos Pereira, raised the alarm the following day due to concerns about not hearing from Ms. Nurse.

Ambulance crews responded to a welfare check and gained entry through an unlocked window. Upon opening the front door for other emergency personnel and family members, Sabat emerged from an internal door, brandishing a knife and charging toward them. The ambulance crew members and family retreated, and police were called.

Armed officers responded and used a Taser on Sabat. Upon entering the room Sabat had emerged from, they discovered Ms. Nurse deceased on a bed with a pillow over her face. She had sustained multiple stab wounds to her face, and it was apparent she had been dead for some time.

During his arrest, Sabat reportedly made statements to police, including, "I've murdered three people so far. I'm gonna go on a murder spree. I'm gonna go on a murder spree," and that he "stayed in there (Ms. Nurse's home) to be arrested."

Sabat has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1987, including convictions for burglary, assault on a police officer in 1995, and wounding with intent in 2014. He also had a prior restraining order against him.

Sentencing Sabat at the Old Bailey, Her Honour Judge Sarah Whitehouse stated, "You have left a permanent and widespread trail of destruction for the family to endure." He was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years and one month. Ms. Nurse's sister, Samantha Carvalho, told the court in a victim impact statement that Sabat "immediately targeted my sister" upon his release, demonstrating that he "presents a danger to the public."