My sister's killer even refused to watch the video link from cell..

Jebina calls for urgent sentencing law change

- MATTHEW YOUNG

THE sister of murdered teacher Sabina Nessa has told how her killer's refusal to attend his sentence hearing rocked her family.

Jebina Islam, 31, said cowardly Koci Selamaj even snubbed listening to her impact statement via video link from his cell.

She is backing the Mirror's call for an urgent change in the law to force killers to face their victims' families, piling more pressure on dithering Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to act.

In her first newspaper interview, Jebina revealed she had no idea it was even an option for Selamaj and warned no family should have to endure what theirs did.

She said: "The law needs to be changed as soon as possible because we're now seeing it quite regularly, when defendants don't appear for their sentencing. There's a pattern of behaviour now and it's just not fair on families. People are not going to get their loved ones back, I won't get my sister back, but it's something.

"He killed my sister, he murdered her in such a horrific way and simply thought, I'm going to stay in my cell!

"It was such a kick in the teeth. I felt such anger at what a coward he was.