A sex predator who savagely murdered a young primary school teacher and ditched the weapon in Kent has been jailed for life.

Koci Selamaj, 36, lurked around Cator Park, Kidbrooke, on September 17 last year to carry out a premeditated on a random woman.

The garage worker travelled to London from his seaside home on the southcoast before beating 28-year-old Sabina Nessa over the head 34 times with a 2ft long metal traffic triangle.

Ms Nessa was on her way to meet a friend when he attacked before dragging her unconscious body up a grassy bank and out of view, before pulling off her tights and strangling her, before covering her body in grass.

Her body was found nearly 24 hours later near a community centre in the park.

Selamaj had ditched the weapon in the River Teise in Tunbridge Wells, which sparked a heavy police search in the area.

On examining his return journey, police found an eight-minute deviation near Tunbridge Wells which should have taken two or three minutes.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called in to help search the verges and “throwing distance” around Dundale Road.

On the second day of that search, the warning triangle was found dumped in the river.

Days later, Selamaj, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was arrested and pleaded guilty to murder in February.

Today, Selamaj refused to come to the Old Bailey and was jailed for life in his absence.

Mr Justice Sweeney set a minimum term of 36 years for the “savage” sexually motivated attack.

The court previously heard the way Ms Nessa’s body was found suggested a sexual motive for the crime.

Last year a vigil was held in Margate following the young teacher's death.