Sabina Nessa’s Infamous Killer Assaults Prison Guard with Shard of Broken Toilet

A sexual offender serving a life sentence for the murder of primary school teacher Sabina Nessa vandalized his cell toilet and stabbed a prison officer with one of the resulting porcelain fragments.

Koci Selamaj, 37, was sentenced to a minimum of 36 years in April 2022 for taking the life of Ms. Nessa as she walked through Cator Park in Kidbrooke, located in south-east London.

The garage employee struck the 28-year-old 34 times on the head with a metal traffic triangle before removing her unconscious form, taking off her underwear, and strangling her.

While serving his sentence at the infamous Frankland Prison – which houses some of the UK’s most notorious murderers including Ian Huntley, Levi Bellfield, and Wayne Couzens – he assaulted two prison staff members.

Selamaj pleaded guilty to wounding one guard with the intent to inflict severe injury at Frankland Prison, a high-security facility near Durham, and attacking another officer causing actual bodily harm in May 2023.

On Wednesday, Judge Penny Moreland imposed an additional four-and-a-half years of imprisonment, stating he should undergo treatment at Broadmoor secure hospital for his mental health issues until he is stable enough to reintegrate into the prison system.

Newcastle Crown Court was informed that Selamaj was in his cell when a prison officer inquired if he would be having lunch.

In response, the life-sentenced inmate screamed, began to destroy his toilet, and armed himself with a shard of porcelain to launch an attack on the guard.

The officer suffered stab wounds to his knee and forearm, while colleagues intervened, with one being punched multiple times in the face by Selamaj.

The judge concluded that the shard of porcelain was sharp enough to be equated to a blade.

In a victim statement, the injured officer remarked that despite a decade in service, he had never before been assaulted, expressing his fondness for his work.

He stated: ‘His strength was astonishing; I consider myself fortunate as it could have been far worse.

‘Selamaj is imprisoned for murder, so I am aware of his capabilities.’

Aidan Harvey, representing Selamaj, indicated that his client had previously experienced auditory hallucinations, believing that ‘the electricity in the walls was conversing with him,’ adding that his psychological state has notably improved since he began receiving treatment at Broadmoor.

Judge Moreland was informed that Selamaj would be a minimum of 73 years old before he is eligible for parole.

She asserted that the sentence for his assaults on the prison officers would be served only after the completion of his minimum term for the murder of Ms. Nessa.

Selamaj observed the court proceedings via videolink from Broadmoor.

He declined to appear in court when he was sentenced at the Old Bailey for Ms. Nessa’s murder, which sparked considerable public outrage.

The earlier court proceedings revealed how he traveled from the southern coast to London to execute a premeditated attack on an unsuspecting woman on September 17, 2021.

He specifically targeted Ms. Nessa as she walked through the park to meet a companion.

CCTV footage depicted the moment Selamaj ran up behind her and struck her on the head 34 times with a 2-foot-long metal traffic triangle. He then carried her unconscious body up a grassy slope and out of sight.

Following this, he lifted her clothing, removed her tights and underwear, and strangled her before covering her remains with grass.

Ms. Nessa, who was a year one teacher at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, was discovered nearly a day later near a community center in the park.

Shortly thereafter, Selamaj from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was apprehended and admitted to the charge of murder.

Mr. Justice Sweeney remarked during the sentencing hearing that it was a ‘brutal’ attack driven by sexual motives.

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