Man jailed for killing ex days after his release
Robert Sabat has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his former partner, Dickiesha Nurse, shortly after his release from a previous jail term. The case has sparked scrutiny regarding the UK's early release policies for offenders.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing debates about criminal justice reform, recidivism, and the safety implications of early release programs.
Image source, Met Police Image caption, Robert Sabat killed Dickiesha Nurse days after he was released on licence
A violent offender who was released from jail the day after he was sentenced stabbed his former partner and then begged to be returned to prison because he was going to "go on a murder spree", the Old Bailey has heard.
Robert Sabat, 60, pleaded guilty to murdering 42-year-old mother-of-two Dickiesha Nurse, who he stabbed at her flat in Tulse Hill, south London, last October.
He had been released on licence from HMP Wandsworth on 17 October 2025 after being sentenced the day before to a 12-month jail sentence for possession of a bladed article and harassment. He had been in prison on remand since May 2025 when he was freed.
Sabat, of Balham, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years.
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