# Engineer denies raping and murdering partner after abuse allegations emerge at trial

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/engineer-accused-of-the-rape-and-murder-of-his-girlfriend-became-angry-about-her-choice-of-clothes-and-threw-a-dog-at-her-court-hears/
- Published: 2026-10-29T12:22:36+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T12:32:19+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16248911/Engineer-accused-rape-murder-girlfriend-angry-choice-clothes-threw-dog-court-hears.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Sexton denies rape and murder charges.
- Witnesses described alleged abuse and controlling behaviour.
- Derkacz was found dead in December 2023.

## Summary

Prosecutors allege that engineer Stephen Sexton subjected his partner, Joanna Derkacz, to a year of domestic abuse before raping and murdering her at their home in Waterlooville, Hampshire. The claims were outlined at his trial, where friends and a neighbour described alleged efforts to control her and incidents of aggression. Sexton denies the charges.

Derkacz, 37, was found dead on 28 December 2023; prosecutors say she was strangled in the early hours. A friend told Winchester Crown Court that Derkacz once sought refuge after an argument and said Sexton had thrown water and a dog at her. A neighbour said Derkacz reported that he objected to her clothes, pushed her and let down her car tyre to stop her driving; she also described their relationship worsening when he used drugs.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.