Stephen Sexton denies raping and murdering girlfriend after breakup decision
Stephen Sexton, 39, is on trial accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend, Joanna Derkacz, after she decided to end their relationship. Prosecutors say the case shows how his alleged controlling behaviour escalated into violence; Sexton denies the charges.
The court heard that Derkacz, 37, had described Sexton as controlling and narcissistic to police during a welfare visit on 11 December 2023. Prosecutors say he had broken her laptop after she returned late from an evening out, and that she asked him to leave but allowed him to stay until their puppies were sold. A post-mortem found she died from compression of the neck; prosecutors also cited DNA evidence and allege sex shortly before her death was rape. The alleged killing took place at their Waterlooville home on 28 December 2023, and the trial is continuing.
- Sexton denies raping and murdering Joanna Derkacz.
- Prosecutors say his controlling behaviour escalated after she tried to end the relationship.
- The trial at Winchester Crown Court is continuing.
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A murder trial is a criminal court case in which prosecutors must prove that the accused committed the crime. The defendant can challenge the evidence, and the jury decides whether the charges are proved.
Stephen Sexton and Joanna Derkacz were in a relationship and lived together in Waterlooville. Derkacz was 37 and Sexton was 39 at the time of the events described in court.
The case centres on the circumstances of Derkacz’s death and the couple’s relationship before it. Evidence about alleged controlling behaviour, forensic findings and the events at their home may help the court assess the accusations.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “‘Narcissistic’ engineer raped and murdered his girlfriend, 37, when she decided to end their relationship, court told”.