Engineer on trial for rape and murder of girlfriend

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 21 Oct, 14:44 · Archive

Stephen Sexton, 39, is on trial for the rape, coercive control and murder of his girlfriend Joanna Derkacz, 37, in Hampshire in December 2023.

Stephen Sexton, 39, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court charged with the rape, coercive control and murder of Joanna Derkacz, 37, at their home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, on 28 December 2023. Her body was discovered on her bed by her sister Arleta Derkacz.

The prosecution alleges that Sexton had become increasingly controlling towards Ms Derkacz for more than a year before her death. On one occasion, she found an Apple AirTag tracker fitted to her car under a wheel arch. He broke her laptop in anger on 10 December after she came home 20 minutes late from an evening with friends. She then left to stay with a friend, and Sexton reported her missing to police.

Ms Derkacz died of compression to the neck, the prosecution said, and is thought to have been killed between 12.20am and 12.46am on 28 December. The Mirror reports that Sexton visited two sex workers shortly afterwards, first in Portsmouth at 1.49am for about one minute, then returning home before visiting a second sex worker around 2.50am. The prosecution told the jury that this suggested his 'sexual arousal had not been fully satisfied'.

Neighbours described Ms Derkacz as a petite woman who was always well-presented.

How it is being reported

• Marine engineer visited prostitute after becoming 'aroused' by raping and murdering his partner, court hearsStephen Sexton, 39, strangled Joanna Derkacz, 37, a recruitment consultant, at their flat after their relationship broke down, it is alleged.Daily Mail · 21 Oct, 14:54
• 'Coercive' man 'visited two sex workers after raping and murdering partner'Stephen Sexton, who is accused of raping and murdering his partner Joanna Derkacz at their home in Hampshire, made the appointments shortly after the woman was killedThe Mirror · 21 Oct, 14:26
• 'Narcissistic' engineer raped and murdered his girlfriend, 37, when she decided to end their relationship, court toldStephen Sexton, 39, is on trial charged with the rape, coercive control and murder of Joanna Derkacz, 37, at their home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, on December 28, 2023.Daily Mail · 20 Oct, 21:53

In this story: Stephen Sexton · Joanna Derkacz · Waterlooville · Hampshire · Winchester Crown Court · Portsmouth

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem