‘Narcissistic’ engineer made terrified girlfriend shower in the dark in campaign of abuse before raping and murdering her when she tried to leave, court told

An engineer is accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend after a relationship marked by controlling and abusive behaviour, a court has heard. The case highlights warnings made to police shortly before Joanna Derkacz was killed and the allegations she had described during a welfare check.

Jurors were told that Stephen Sexton, 39, broke Ms Derkacz’s laptop and phone, restricted her social life and once made her shower in the dark by switching off the lights. Police risk-assessed her as high risk after speaking to her three weeks before her death; she was found dead at their Waterlooville flat on 28 December 2023. Sexton denies murder, rape and coercive or controlling behaviour.