Sabina Nessa only took a shortcut through the park where her murderer attacked and killed her because she was running late.
The 28-year-old teacher told pals she normally avoided walking through Cator Park in South East London at night but cut through because she was rushing to meet a friend at Depot bar on September 17.
Koci Selamaj, 36, had lain in wait at the park for 25 minutes with his hood up, before he struck Sabina with an emergency traffic triangle and dragged her into the bushes.
He then strangled her in the undergrowth and left her body to be discovered by a dog walker 24 hours later.
Selamaj was today jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years for the murder of primary school teacher.
Mr Justice Sweeney described the "savage" attack as sexually motivated.
The judge said Sabina was the "wholly blameless victim of an absolutely appalling murder which was entirely the fault of the defendant".
He added Sabina's death added to the sense of insecurity" particularly felt by woman walking through the city at night.
Mr Justice Sweeney added: "She had every right, as her family said, to be walking through the park all glammed up and out to enjoy herself after a long week at work.
"The defendant robbed her and them of her life."
Alison Morgan QC told the court yesterday: "It was out of character for Sabina to walk in Cator Park after dark".
Sabina had discussed being concerned about being there after dark.
Ms Morgan said: "It seems likely that she chose to walk across the park that night because she was running late and this was the quickest route to get to the Depot Bar."
Selamaj, an Albanian national from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was arrested on September 26 after being recognised on CCTV.
The clip showed him running towards Sabina and “striking her repeatedly”, before carrying her out of sight and later emerging to pick up pieces of the weapon.
Sabina's body was found nearly 24 hours later by a dog walker hidden underneath a pile of grass.
Selamaj admitted murder last month and faces life in prison, but yesterday and today refused to attend court.
Mr Justice Sweeney called his decision "cowardly".
Members of his victim's family gathered at the Old Bailey this afternoon, with supporters of the Sabina Project also outside holding placards.
Mr Justice Sweeney ruled the sentencing could go ahead in the absence of the defendant as the court had no power to force him to attend.
The defendant had also been captured on CCTV footage stalking the hotel lobby of a five-star hotel where his wife worked just hours before setting his murderous sights on Sabina.
Garage worker Selamaj planned the savage murder after being rejected by his wife in his home town of Eastbourne.
He murdered the primary school teacher just weeks after his wife left him due to his domestic abuse, which included him “throttling” her at least three times.
Selamaj tried to persuade his wife to have sex with him just hours before his attack, but she refused.
The defendant booked a £400 room at The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, located five minutes from his home.
Ms Morgan told the court the booking was "indicative of his premeditation to have some kind of sexual encounter that evening".
