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Sabina Nessa: Man, 36, arrested on suspicion of murder in ‘significant development’

Scotland Yard has confirmed the family of Sabina have been informed of the ‘significant development’ in the case.

Claire Schofield
By Claire Schofield
Published 26th Sep 2021, 11:43 BST
Updated 26th Sep 2021, 15:16 BST
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Detectives investigating the murder of primary school teacher Sabina Nessa have arrested a 36-year-old man in what Scotland Yard hailed a “significant development” in the case.

The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was arrested at around 3am on Sunday (September 26) morning in East Sussex and is now being held in custody.

Scotland Yard said Ms Nessa’s family had been informed of the “significant development”.

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At a glance: 5 key points

  • CCTV images were released on Thursday (23 September) of a man investigators urgently wished to speak to, plus one of a silver car they believed he had access to.
  • On Saturday, the Met said that the balding man is believed to have been carrying a reflective red object that he may have been trying to conceal up his sleeve.
  • He was captured on CCTV as he walked through Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, south-east London, where Ms Nessa had been heading on the night she died.
  • Scotland Yard has not confirmed if the suspect arrested is the man in the footage, but it is understood that investigators are no longer looking for him.

What have police said?

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Sabina’s family have been informed of this significant development and they continue to be supported by specialist officers.”

What is known about the attack?

Ms Nessa, 28, had been walking to meet a friend at a pub just a five-minute walk from her home when she was attacked in Cator Park, Kidbrooke, on 17 September.

Her body was discovered by a member of the public the following day under a pile of leaves off a footpath in the park.

Two men were separately arrested on suspicion of her murder, but were later released under investigation.

Hundreds of mourners attended a candlelit vigil in memory of the  28-year-old, who taught at Rushey Green Primary School, on Friday (September 24) evening, including tearful relatives.

Jebina Yasmin Islam, Ms Nessa’s sister, broke down as she addressed crowds to pay tribute.

She said: “Words cannot describe how we are feeling, this feels like we are stuck in a bad dream and can’t get out of it – our world is shattered, we are simply lost for words.

“No family should go through what we are going through.”

Her death has sparked concerns among the public for women’s safety.

Related topics:Sabina NessaPolice