Man on trial for rape and murder of Joanna Derkacz in Waterlooville

Stephen Sexton, 39, is accused of killing his girlfriend after she sought to end the relationship. A Tesco bag was allegedly used as a restraint.

Tesco bag used to restrain victim before killing, Winchester Crown Court told

Stephen Sexton, 39, used a Tesco shopping bag to restrain his girlfriend before raping and murdering her after she attempted to end the relationship, a jury at Winchester Crown Court has heard. Google News IE — Crime (en) reports that Sexton is standing trial for the killing of Joanna Derkacz, 37, at her home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, in December 2023.

Nicola Shannon KC, prosecuting, told the court Sexton displayed jealous and controlling behaviour throughout what she described as a toxic and abusive relationship. Sexton, of Cherrywood Gardens, Totton, Hampshire, denies charges of rape, murder, and coercive or controlling behaviour.

The court heard the relationship grew increasingly violent. Shannon told jurors that Derkacz had confided in her sister Arleta that Sexton had on one occasion attempted to strangle her, though she managed to push him away. He also smashed her mobile phone and laptop in fits of anger after she arrived home 20 minutes late from seeing friends.

Following one such incident, Derkacz took shelter at a friend's house and Sexton reported her missing to police — a move that, prosecutors said, may have prompted her to ask him to leave the property. When two female police officers visited the house in Nevison Way on 11 December to conduct a welfare check, Derkacz described her boyfriend as "very controlling" and "narcissistic." She told officers: "He has this thing where he flips."

The jury was also told that Sexton had previous convictions for assaulting his ex-wife and damaging her phone.

Prosecutors allege Derkacz was murdered in the early hours of 28 December 2023. Post-mortem examinations found three broken bones in her neck, with injuries consistent with force applied using an arm or the crook of an elbow. DNA evidence, the court heard, indicated she had been sexually assaulted.

Derkacz's saliva was found inside the Tesco shopping bag, which was discovered next to her bed. Sexton's fingerprints and saliva were identified on the outside of the bag.

Her body was found later that morning by Arleta, who had gone to the property after her sister stopped answering calls. Arleta found Sexton at the top of the stairs and, after pushing past him, discovered her sister's body in the bedroom. She then found Sexton in the kitchen holding a knife pointed at his own wrist.

Prosecutors said Arleta fled the house screaming that he had killed her sister, while her husband called 999.

The trial is listed to last 12 weeks.

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)