Marine engineer visited prostitute after becoming ‘aroused’ by raping and murdering his partner, court hears

Prosecutors allege marine engineer Stephen Sexton raped and strangled his partner, Joanna Derkacz, after their relationship broke down, then contacted sex workers and drove to meet one. The case is being heard in court, where the prosecution has described the alleged sequence of events and argued that Sexton’s actions after the killing are relevant to its account of his motive.

Derkacz, 37, was found dead at the couple’s home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, on 28 December 2023. Prosecutors say she had previously reported Sexton as controlling and that he had subjected her to a year of coercive behaviour; they also cited messages between the pair and phone activity after her death. Sexton, 39, denies murder, rape and controlling or coercive behaviour.