Murderer's Early Release Under Labour Scheme Condemned by Previous Victim
A woman who previously experienced violence from Robert Sabat criticizes the early release policy after he killed his ex-partner shortly after being freed.
A man who murdered his former partner days after being released from prison under a Labour-backed early release scheme should never have been freed, according to one of his previous victims. Robert Sabat, 60, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years for stabbing mother-of-two Dickiesha Nurse to death in her home.
Sabat had been released from HMP Wandsworth after serving only 40 percent of his one-year sentence for harassment and knife offenses. The court heard that Sabat had previously been jailed for threatening another ex-partner, arriving at her home with two knives, smashing a plant pot, and shouting through the door. Police used pepper spray to restrain him during that incident.
The previous victim, speaking anonymously for her safety, accused Labour of failing to protect women. She stated that the early release of someone with Sabat's history of violence was a "mockery" and that the seriousness of his behavior was not given adequate weight. She emphasized the devastating consequences, including the loss of Ms. Nurse's life and the destruction of families.
"No one should have to wait for another life to be lost before the danger is taken seriously," the former partner said, highlighting her belief that the system failed her and Ms. Nurse. She described Sabat as manipulative, controlling, and threatening, and expressed her belief that his pattern of behavior posed a serious danger.
During the trial, the Old Bailey heard that Sabat moved into Ms. Nurse's home immediately after his release and disregarded her requests for him to leave. He then fatally stabbed her and remained in the house with her decomposing body for days before emergency services conducted a welfare check after family members raised concerns. Sabat reportedly told armed police that he had murdered others before, echoing similar claims he made to his earlier victim.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated that the government is committed to ensuring sufficient prison places for dangerous offenders and is building more facilities while tagging offenders at record levels to manage those in the community. The Probation Service is conducting an internal review into the circumstances surrounding Sabat's release. Labour's early release initiative allowed prisoners to be let out after serving 40 percent of their fixed-term sentences, a policy implemented to alleviate pressure on an overcrowded prison system. Tens of thousands of inmates have been released early under this scheme.