Sabina Nessa: Murder suspect questioned over teacher death

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Media caption,

Police want to speak to a man shown walking in Pegler Square

A man is being questioned on suspicion of murdering primary school teacher Sabina Nessa, who was found dead in a south-east London park.

The 28-year-old was discovered in Cator Park in Kidbrooke by a member of the public on Saturday 18 September.

Police believe she was attacked shortly after leaving her home in nearby Astell Road at about 20:30 BST the previous evening.

Officers have released an image of another man they wish to speak to.

He is shown on CCTV walking through Pegler Square, where a vigil, organised by a Kidbrooke community group, is to be held for Ms Nessa later. Police said they would be part of the gathering.

An "extensive trawl" of CCTV in the area is ongoing as information on the man's identity and whereabouts could be "vital" to the investigation, police said.

Image source, Met Police
Image caption,

Sabina Nessa was found near the One Space community centre in Kidbrooke

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said the force was not asking women to change their behaviour when going out at night.

It comes after information sheets advising women on how to stay safe at night were handed out by a community group.

"It's really important to us that we don't ask women to change their behaviour," she said.

"Violence against women and girls is a priority for police across the UK but we're really conscious that women should be free to go about their lives without fear of abuse."

She added violence against women had the "hallmarks of an epidemic".

"It is something that is tolerated far too much in society and we the police are determined to bring offenders to justice and to prevent these offences where we can," she said.

She asked anyone with information about Ms Nessa's death to come forward.

Media caption,

Tracing Sabina Nessa's final steps

Police said a post-mortem examination carried out on Monday was inconclusive.

Another man in his 40s who was held on suspicion of murder on Sunday has been released under further investigation.

Ms Nessa was attacked as she walked to meet a friend at The Depot bar, a journey that police said "should have taken just over five minutes".

Her body was found the next day near a walkway in the park.

Image source, Met Police
Image caption,

Police have also released an image of a car they believe the man had access to

The family of Ms Nessa, who was originally from Sandy in Bedfordshire, previously said they had been left "devastated" by her killing.

Her cousin, Zubel Ahmed, described the 28-year-old as the "kindest, sweetest girl you could meet".

He said: "Sabina's heart was as good as gold, she never had a bad word to say about anyone. Her sister is going to miss her so much."

Image caption,

Police say Ms Nessa was planning to meet a friend at The Depot bar in Kidbrooke Village on the night she was killed

Ms Nessa was a teacher at Rushey Green primary school in Catford.

The head, Lisa Williams, called her "a brilliant teacher; she was kind, caring and absolutely dedicated to her pupils".

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