Stephen Sexton, aged 38, faces grave charges of rape and murder in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Joanna Derkacz, who was 37 years old. Prosecutors have painted a picture of a toxic and abusive relationship, asserting that Sexton exhibited controlling behaviours prior to the incident. Derkacz’s body was discovered at their home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, on 28 December 2023.
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Sexton, who has denied all charges against him, stands accused of not only murder and rape but also controlling or coercive behaviour in their relationship. According to the prosecution, Sexton went to extreme lengths to monitor Derkacz’s movements, even using a tracking device on her vehicle, checking her emails, and damaging her personal belongings such as her phone and laptop leading up to her death.
Testimony presented during the trial at Portsmouth Crown Court suggests that Sexton’s behaviour deteriorated significantly following setbacks in his personal life, particularly the failure of his welding business. There are claims that his jealousy towards Derkacz escalated, especially concerning her friendships with male colleagues. Prosecutor Nicola Shannon KC highlighted a pivotal shift in their relationship that occurred in December 2023. This incident was triggered when Derkacz requested that Sexton move out of their shared home, resulting in the couple sleeping in separate rooms.
The court was informed of past incidents where Sexton allegedly displayed controlling tendencies, including an occasion when he locked Derkacz out of their house after she returned home late and, on another occasion, reported her missing. Jurors were shown police body camera footage from a welfare check performed just weeks before Derkacz’s death. In this footage, Derkacz described Sexton as “very controlling” and “narcissistic,” revealing a troubling dynamic in their relationship. “He has this thing where he flips,” she told officers, alluding to his unpredictable behaviour.
The prosecution asserts that Derkacz was murdered during the early hours of 28 December. After her death, it is alleged that Sexton made no attempt to contact the authorities for help. Instead, he left their residence on two occasions in search of sex workers in Portsmouth, behaviour that prosecutors argue underscores a lack of concern for Derkacz’s wellbeing.
A post-mortem examination revealed disturbing details, including three broken bones in Derkacz’s neck and DNA evidence suggesting that she had been sexually assaulted prior to her death. The discovery of her body came after her sister, Arleta, grew concerned when her calls went unanswered. Upon discovering Derkacz unresponsive later that morning, Arleta expressed her devastation.
In a poignant tribute shared through Hampshire Police, the family lamented the loss of their loved one, calling her “such a special daughter, auntie, and sister.” Her sister vowed to seek justice on her behalf, stating, “We will love you always sweet angel. You didn’t deserve this. I’ll fight for the justice till my last breath. I promise.”
The trial, which is set to continue for approximately eight weeks, has already revealed a harrowing narrative of emotional and physical abuse, raising serious questions about the nature of their relationship and the events leading up to Derkacz’s tragic death. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus will remain on the evidence presented and the testimonies that aim to shed light on this alleged heinous crime.