Inquest to Investigate if Police ‘Action or Inaction’ Contributed to Woman’s Murder in 2003

Sabina Rizvi (L)—who was shot dead in 2005 and whose inquest at the Old Bailey in London began on March 4, 2024. Rizvi family/Chris Summers, The Epoch Times

An inquest will look into whether “any action or inaction” by the Metropolitan Police contributed to the murder of a 25-year-old woman who was shot dead as she drove away from a police station in south east London in 2003.

Sabina Rizvi was killed in the early hours of March 20, 2003, as she drove away from Bexleyheath police station with her boyfriend, Mark “Bucky” Williams.

The following year Paul Asbury, 22, was jailed for life for her murder and for the attempted murder of Williams, who appeared to be the intended target.

Cathryn McGahey, KC, counsel to the inquest, explained the complex series of events leading to Ms. Rizvi’s death and said her family believe there was, “more that should be investigated” beyond what emerged during Asbury’s trial.

She told the inquest jury they would be asked to consider, “whether any action or inaction on the part of the police caused or contributed to Sabina’s death.”

Ms. McGahey said, “The criminal trial had looked only at the role of Paul Asbury and of accomplices who had been directly involved in the shooting or in destroying evidence afterwards.”

Were Police ‘Implicated’?

“The criminal trial had not looked at whether the police at Bexleyheath police station were in any way implicated in what had happened,” she added.

The inquest—which is being overseen by Judge Angela Rafferty, KC,—heard Williams was convicted of supplying Class A drugs but was released in January 2002 and soon after began a relationship with Ms. Rizvi.

Ms. McGahey said there was evidence Williams had been violent and abusive toward Ms. Rizvi.

In March 2003 Ms. Rizvi bought an Audi TT for £15,000 but there was immediately a dispute about the ownership of the car and her brother advised her to visit a police station and check if the car was reported stolen.

On March 13, 2003 police confirmed the car was not reported as stolen but later that day Asbury contacted Bexleyheath police station and said he owned the Audi and it had been carjacked.

Asbury had ten previous convictions, and police intelligence on him suggested he was a violent drug dealer.

On March 16, 2003, Asbury phoned Detective Sergeant Robert Florio—who has since retired—and said “Bucky’s girlfriend” had his car, said Ms. McGahey.

She said Det. Sgt. Florio tracked down Ms. Rizvi and asked her to come to Bexleyheath police station on March 19 with all the documents to prove her ownership of the Audi.

Ms. Rizvi told police she had paid Asbury for the Audi and she asked Williams to drove the car to Bexleyheath police station.

They arrived at 10:25 p.m. and police immediately arrested Williams, who matched the description Asbury had given for one of the carjackers.

Victim’s Boyfriend was Wearing Bullet-Proof Vest

Ms. McGahey said Williams had been wearing a bullet-proof vest when he was arrested and told police he had it on because he “moved in certain circles” in south London.

The arresting officer later realised it was a Metropolitan Police vest but Williams told them he was wearing it because his friend was wanted for murder and was, “afraid of reprisals from associates of the murder victim.”

Ms. McGahey said Det. Sgt. Florio and Detective Constable Mark Horner then had a conversation with Williams, which was not videotaped or recorded.

A handwritten note of the conversation suggested Williams had told them he was going to, “take over the drugs market” in south east London and said Asbury had told him to forget the car and the money paid for it and said he, “would never live to collect the money”.

Ms. McGahey said there was evidence Williams contacted Asbury “directly or indirectly” while in custody.

He was released on bail at 2:15 a.m. but the Audi was impounded, pending a police investigation.

Ms. Rizvi was driving Williams along Watling Street in Bexleyheath in a Nissan Bluebird car when, minutes after leaving the police station, shots were fired and she was killed by a bullet through the neck.

Ms. McGahey said Williams was shot twice and although he survived, he suffered significant brain injuries, which affected his memory and meant he would not be a witness at the inquest.

She said Asbury arrived at the police station after the shooting and asked to speak to Det. Sgt. Florio— who had been handling the carjacking investigation—but was instead arrested and was later convicted of murder.

Nobody else has ever been charged in connection with Ms. Rizvi’s death.

Ms. McGahey said CCTV footage suggested Asbury had been driving a red Vauxhall Astra, which followed Ms. Rizvi’s car, along with a Ford Mondeo, as it left the police station.

Mystery Gunman was in Second car

She said the Mondeo was later burnt out but added, “We believe that whoever shot Sabina and Mark Williams was in that car.”

Ms. Rizvi’s mother, Iffat, told the inquest, “There is not a day when I do not wake up with thoughts of Sabina not being in my world. Every day, I have to bring myself into the real world knowing Sabina is not coming back.”

The inquest was initially opened and adjourned in 2003 and was finally reopened in February 2019, following a campaign by Ms. Rizvi’s family.

It was further delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

PA Media contributed to this report.