Robert Sabat was sentenced to life at the Old Bailey following the killing of Dickiesha Nurse shortly after leaving HMP Wandsworth. He had completed less than half of a one-year term for violent offences under a government early release initiative.
The 40% release threshold and the pressure on HMP Wandsworth
The Labour government's early release policy has come under intense scrutiny following the murder of Dickiesha Nurse. As reported by the Mail,the scheme allows prisoners to be released after serving 40 per cent of their fixed-term sentences rather than the traditional 50 per cent.
This policy was designed to alleviate overcrowding within the UK prison estate, resulting in the early release of tens of thousands of convicted criminals. however, the case of 60-year-old Robert Sabat highlights the potential risks of prioritizing capacity over individual risk assessments, especially when dealing with offenders with a history of weapon-related crimes.
Dickiesha Nurse's death and the failure to recognize Sabat's pattern
Robert Sabat murdered Dickiesha Nurse in her home just days after being freed from HMP Wandsworth. According to the report, Sabat moved into Ms. Nurse's residence immediately after his release and ignored her pleas to leave before stabbing her to death.
The brutality of the crime was compounded by Sabat's actions following the murder. The Old Bailey heard that Sabat remained in the home with Ms. Nurse's decomposing body for several days before emergency services were alerted by her family members.
A former partner's warning about Sabat's history of violence
An unnamed former partner of Robert Sabat has publicly criticized the justice system for failing to weigh the seriousness of his previous violent behavior. She described Sabat as a manipulative and controlling individual with a "disturbing history of violence towards other people, regardless of who they are."
Sabat's prior criminal record included harassment and knife offences that had previously required police intervention. During a previous incident, officers had to use pepper spray to restrain him after he brandished knives and smashed property at a former partner's home. The witness emphasized that his actions demonstrated a consistent and dangerous pattern of behavior.
Will the Probation Service's internal review change the 40% rule?
The Probation Service is currently conducting an internal review to determine how Sabat was deemed safe for early release. While a Ministry of Justice spokesman stated that the government is building more prison places and increasing the use of electronic tagging, the effectiveness of these measures remains a central question.
The case leaves several critical questions unanswered for the public and the victims' families:
- How did the risk assessment process fail to identify the immediate danger Sabat posed to women?
- Will the findings of the internal review lead to a reassessment of the 40% release threshold for violent offenders?
- How can the government guarantee that electronic tagging is sufficient for those with a history of knife crime?
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