Sabina Rizvi: Inquest probes police role in woman's 2003 shooting

An inquest into the death of a woman who was shot outside a police station 21 years ago has begun looking at whether police were "in any way implicated".

Sabina Rizvi, 25, was killed on 20 March 2003 as she drove away from Bexleyheath police station in south-east London.

Her boyfriend, who was a passenger in the car, was shot twice but survived.

In 2004, Paul Asbury, then 22, was sentenced to life imprisonment.

He was convicted of the murder of Ms Rizvi and the attempted murder of Mark Williams.

Opening the full inquest at the Old Bailey on Monday, Cathryn McGahey KC said Ms Rizvi's family, from Merton, south London, believed there was "more that should be investigated".

Ms McGahey, who is counsel to the inquest, 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.

"The criminal trial had not looked at whether the police at Bexleyheath police station were in any way implicated in what had happened."

She told the inquest jury that they would be asked to look at "whether any action or inaction on the part of the police caused or contributed to Sabina's death".

Carjacking investigation

It was heard that Ms Rizvi "had got into trouble when she was younger" and had been convicted in 1999 for supplying drugs.

Williams also had a conviction for suppling drugs, the inquest was told.

Ms Rizvi's family hoped "she would turn things around" and, in 2003, her mother lent her £15,000 to buy into a mobile phone shop business.

However, that March, Ms Rizvi told her mother she wanted to use the money to buy an Audi TT.

The inquest heard that Ms Rizvi bought the car, and on her brother's advice, checked with police that it was not stolen.

She was told it was not listed as stolen but later the same day, Asbury phoned Bexleyheath police station and said his Audi had been carjacked.

Ms Rizvi went to Bexleyheath police station on 19 March with all the documents for the Audi. She told police she had paid Asbury for the vehicle.

She called Williams, who then drove the car to the police station. When he arrived, police arrested him as he matched the description Asbury had given of one of the car thieves.

Williams denied having anything to do with the carjacking. He was released on bail in the early hours of 20 March.

Ms Rizvi drove the pair away from the police station, in a different car, and minutes later shots were fired into the vehicle.

The inquest heard Ms Rizvi was killed by a bullet that went through her neck.

Williams was shot twice in the head. He survived but was left with with significant brain injuries, affecting his memory.

He is too unwell to give evidence to the inquest.

Shortly after the shooting, Asbury was arrested for murder and attempted murder.

The inquest, being heard by assistant coroner Angela Rafferty KC, is being held after a campaign by Ms Rizvi's family.

Her mother Iffat Rizvi said: "After waiting nearly 21 years since Sabina's murder, our family is greatly relieved that the inquest into her death is finally being held.

"The fight to get a full inquest to establish what really happened that terrible night has been long and hard, and we have endured much grief and pain along the way. We now sincerely hope the inquest will get to the truth about Sabina's death."

The evidence is expected to be heard for two weeks, with the jury's conclusion expected during the week beginning 25 March.

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