Jury finds woman shot outside Bexleyheath police station was unlawfully killed

The jury in the inquest into the death of Sabina Rizvi, who was shot outside a police station in 2003, concluded that she was unlawfully killed. Paul Asbury was convicted of her murder in 2004 and sentenced to life in prison. The inquest aimed to determine if the police at Bexleyheath police station were involved in her death, as her family believed there was more to investigate beyond Asbury’s role in the crime.

During the inquest, Asbury admitted to being involved in the shooting but did not disclose the identities of the actual gunmen. He claimed that Rizvi was caught in the crossfire of an incident targeting her boyfriend, Mark Williams. The jury was informed that Asbury had informed other individuals who ultimately carried out the shooting, but there was no evidence that the police had facilitated or assisted in the crime.

Prior to the shooting, Rizvi had purchased a car and went to the police to ensure it was not stolen. Asbury had reported his own car stolen, leading to a connection between Rizvi and the investigating officers. Williams was arrested shortly after arriving at the police station where he wore a bullet-proof vest. Minutes after leaving the station together, the shooting occurred, resulting in Rizvi’s death and Williams sustaining serious injuries.

The coroner stated that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that the police at Bexleyheath station could have prevented the shooting or were aware of a risk to Rizvi’s life. The inquest had been reopened in 2019 after originally being adjourned in 2003, with delays due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Rizvi’s family expressed their grief and the loss of their daughter, emphasizing that her memory would forever be cherished.

Despite Asbury’s admission of involvement in the shooting, he did not reveal the identities of the gunmen. It was established that Rizvi was an innocent victim caught up in a conflict between Asbury and Williams. The inquest aimed to shed light on potential police involvement in the events leading up to Rizvi’s death, but the jury found no evidence to suggest police complicity. The case highlights the continuing grief and unanswered questions faced by Rizvi’s family following her tragic death outside the police station.