The father of Sabina Nessa’s killer has begged his son to reveal why he murdered her.
But Koci Selamaj refused to leave his jail cell and see his dad.
Albanian national Selamaj, 36, has cut contact with his family as he serves a life sentence for bludgeoning teacher Sabina, 28, to death with a hazard triangle.
Now, 12 months after the murder, his ex-steel worker father Bashkim revealed he has twice travelled to HMP Belmarsh in South London to see his son.
Both times he said Selamaj felt too ashamed to meet him. Speaking from his home in Elbasan, in central Albania, Bashkim, 71, said: “Koci has a strong character. Now he is realising what he has done and has shame on himself.
“That shame stops him from meeting me or his sister who did try meeting him as well. He does not want to tell me why he murdered that girl. I’d like to know from him why he did it.”
Koci admitted killing Sabina in Cator Park in Kidbrooke, South East London, last September. He was jailed for life in April and must serve at least 36 years.
The Old Bailey heard how Koci had booked a £325 room at the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, East Sussex, on the night of the murder in the hope of having sex with his estranged wife, who was a chambermaid there.
Staff had felt “there was something not quite right about him” and called 101 following a dispute over payment, although police did not attend.
Koci then headed to London, where he picked primary teacher Sabina at random as she crossed the park to meet a friend for a drink. He struck her on the head 34 times with a hazard triangle then strangled her.
Bashkim said: “The murder of Sabina caused a huge tragedy to her family. We still cannot believe how our son got involved in murdering her.
“What happened last year has caused another tragedy, to our family. I am an older man suffering from several illnesses after a head operation several years ago.
“I am full of pain for Sabina losing her life and at the same time for my son who has been unwilling to talk to us for 12 months.
“I have sent several letters but no reply. I came to London two times. After booking a visit to see him, I went twice to Belmarsh.
“It was the same story. Guards asked him to get out of the jail to meet me. He refused two times.”
This week a vigil was held to remember Sabina, with friends and family staging a walk as an act of solidarity and remembrance.
Sister Jebina Islam said: “It’s time for change, it’s time to put an end to violence against women and girls.”
Bashkim said: “Due to my age, I do not know if I will ever see Koci again. I am going to die without seeing him. It’s the same for my wife Tefta. I do not wish this position on anyone.
“We never have had any problem with him. How could he hit a person he didn’t know 34 times? We are so sad for Sabina.
“She was a human and did not deserve death in that way.”
