Murderer's Early Release Condemned by Previous Victim
A woman who was a victim of Robert Sabat condemns a Labour early release scheme after he murdered his ex-partner days after his own release.
A previous victim of Robert Sabat has condemned a Labour early release scheme after the convicted murderer killed his ex-partner just days after being freed from prison. Sabat, 60, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years for the murder of Dickiesha Nurse, a mother of two, whom he stabbed to death in her home.
Sabat had been released from HMP Wandsworth after serving only 40% of a one-year sentence for harassment and knife offenses. The court heard that Sabat had previously threatened another former partner, brandishing two knives and smashing a plant pot outside her home. Police had to use pepper spray to restrain him during that incident.
The earlier victim, who asked not to be named for her safety, criticized the early release policy. "It is an absolute mockery that someone with such a history of violence was able to be released from prison early," she stated. "I do not believe the seriousness of his behaviour was given the weight it deserved, and I cannot ignore the devastating consequences that have followed."
She expressed that a woman has lost her life, families have been destroyed, and those who have experienced Sabat's behavior are left to live with the consequences. "No one should have to wait for another life to be lost before the danger is taken seriously," she added.
Prosecutors told the Old Bailey that Sabat moved into Ms. Nurse's home immediately after his release and ignored her requests for him to leave. He then fatally stabbed her and remained in the house with her body for days before emergency services discovered it after family members raised concerns. During his arrest by armed police, Sabat claimed to have murdered others previously.
The former partner recounted that Sabat had made similar boasts to her. She described him as manipulative, controlling, and threatening, believing there to be a serious danger in his pattern of behavior. She feels traumatized by her experiences and believes the system failed her and Ms. Nurse.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice stated that the government is determined to ensure sufficient prison places for dangerous offenders, citing the construction of new prisons and the use of tagging for offenders in the community. The Probation Service is conducting an internal review into the circumstances of Sabat's release. The Labour party's initial early release initiative allowed prisoners to be freed after serving 40% of their fixed-term sentences, a policy intended to alleviate pressure on overcrowded prisons, leading to the early release of tens of thousands of individuals.