Knifeman who murdered former partner in her own home after 'targeting' her and moving in following early release from prison is jailed for life

A dangerous thug with a string of convictions for violence murdered his former partner in her own home days after being freed from prison under Labour's early release scheme.Robert Sabat stabbed Dickiesha Nurse to death after moving into her home upon his release from prison and ignoring her pleas to leave.He continued to live there until her bloodied remains were discovered during a welfare check.He later bragged to police how he had 'killed before and got away with it'. He also said he planned to 'go on a murder spree' and begged to go back to jail.Sabat, of no fixed address, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years and one month at the Old Bailey today.He had known mother-of-two Ms Nurse since childhood, and had been in a relationship with her for around four years by the time he launched his savage attack on the 42-year-old in Tulse Hill, south London, some time between October 21 and 28 last year.The 60-year-old was on licence when he struck, having only been released from Wandsworth prison on October 17 after serving less than half of a 12-month jail sentence for possession of a knife and harassment of another former partner.Ms Nurse's younger sister, Samantha Carvalho, told the court in a victim impact statement: 'Upon his release from prison, he immediately targeted my sister - he showed he presents a danger to the public.'Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Sarah Whitehouse said: 'You have left a permanent and widespread trail of destruction for the family to endure.' Robert Sabat, 60, has been jailed for life for the murder of his former partner, days after being freed from prison Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC told the court how the defendant was released on licence from HMP Wandsworth on Friday, October 17, 2025. He served roughly 40 per cent of his sentence in accordance with Labour's policy to relieve pressure on the crowded prison estate.He had been sentenced at Kingston Crown Court, the day before, to 12 months' imprisonment for two offences of possession of a bladed article and one offence of harassment in relation to an incident on May 1, 2025 in which he banged on the door of a former partner, whilst in possession of two knives. On October 19, Ms Nurse's secondary school-age children visited her and said her 'friend or cousin' had been there – it is believed this meant Sabat.Three days later, Ms Nurse fled to a neighbour's home and asked to use his phone to contact the police, claiming Sabat was at her home and 'would not leave'.Ms Farrelly said: 'When police answered the call, she said that she no longer needed them to attend the scene because 'he had left'.'She told her neighbour that the defendant was at her address and would not leave. At around the same time, another neighbour subsequently went on to report to police they saw the deceased shouting in the street, saying 'get out of my house.''Her children went to visit again on October 26 but could not get hold of her. The court heard it was possible their mother was already dead, inside the home. The children's father, Carlos Pereira, thought this strange and so contacted Claudette McBean, Ms Nurse's mother. The case was heard at the Old Bailey, where Sadat was handed a life sentenceThe family raised the alarm the following day, concerned they had not heard from or seen Ms Nurse.Ambulance crews tried to carry out a welfare check. They entered the home through an unlocked window and then opened the front door to let other emergency staff and family members into the property.Ms Farrelly said: 'As the four moved into the hallway, an internal door was flung open, and the defendant came through it, charging towards them, whilst at the same time brandishing a red handled knife.'The two members of London Ambulance Service crew and two family members withdrew from the property and police were called.'Armed police were called and used their Taser on Sabat.Ms Farrelly said: 'When the armed officers entered the room that the defendant had been in, they found the deceased, who was on a bed in that room lying with a pillow over her face.'She was then found to have sustained multiple stab wounds to her face.'It was apparent to them that she had been deceased for some time.' Sabat had only been released from prison days before he struck mother-of-two Ms NurseThe court heard police seized two knives, a knife blade, a knife handle and a meat cleaver from the address.A bag marked 'HMP valuables' and HMP Wandsworth records in the defendant's name were also seized.Ms Farrelly said Sabat made a number of comments to police shortly after his arrest, including: 'I've murdered three people so far. I'm gonna go on a murder spree. I'm gonna go on a murder spree.'He also said he 'stayed in there (Ms Nurse's home) to be arrested'.Sabat has a history of previous convictions dating back to 1987 for burglary.He was convicted of assaulting a police officer in 1995, and then wounding with intent in 2014.He was convicted of pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to harassment and two offences of possessing a bladed article in a public place in October last year but was released given the amount of time he served in prison on remand.He had also previously been subjected to a restraining order regarding another complainant. Members of Ms Nurse's family described how she was the 'life and soul of the party', and was a devoted mother to her children.And they described the 'catastrophic destruction' Sadat had inflicted upon them. In her witness statement, the victim's sister Ms Carvalho said: 'Keisha possessed a vibrant personality that was impossible to overlook.'Today, because of the brutal actions of the defendant, our family's joy has been completely extinguished. His actions completely tore our family apart.'Her mother, Ms McBean, added: 'It doesn't feel real to me that she's gone.'I put a little bit of food out for her on the table and say: "Kiesha, take as much as you like, you don't have to ask."Mr Pereira, the mother of her children, said: 'She might have had her personal issues but she was a warm and loving person and anyone can attest to that. 'In many moments I can see how hurt they (the children) are and how much they miss her.'Labour's initial early release scheme saw prisoners released after serving 40% of their fixed-term sentences in custody, rather than half. Tens of thousands of prisoners have been released early under the scheme to date, with some praising Prime Minister Andy Burnham as they left prison during the latest wave earlier this month.Nick Timothy, the shadow justice minister, said: 'Labour has let thousands of dangerous criminals out of prison early, and this tragic case shows the consequences.'With almost 5,000 prisoners set to be released early over the next ten months, it is the public who will pay the price for Labour's actions.'Only the Conservatives have a plan to fix our prison estate by building 50,000 new places, ending early release for good, and ensuring we can send violent and serious repeat offenders to prison.'