Hampshire Man Accused of Murder Sought S*x Workers Twice After Killing Girlfriend

A 38-year-old man standing trial for the rape and murder of his partner allegedly left their residence twice after her death to seek out s*x workers rather than contacting emergency services, prosecutors told a jury. Stephen Sexton has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, rape, and controlling or coercive behaviour in connection with the death of 37-year-old Joanna Derkacz, whose body was discovered inside a home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, on December 28, 2023. Opening the case at Portsmouth Crown Court, the prosecution alleged that Sexton subjected Derkacz to a "toxic and abusive relationship" characterised by systemic surveillance and isolation.

According to evidence presented by the Crown, Sexton covertly installed a tracking device on Derkacz’s vehicle, monitored her private emails, and intentionally destroyed her phone and laptop during the year leading up to her death. UK: Former Police Officer Jailed for Having S*x With Domestic Violence Victim While on Duty.

History of Escalating Control and Police Welfare Checks

Jurors heard that Sexton’s behaviour deteriorated significantly following the financial failure of his welding business. Prosecutors stated that he grew increasingly resentful and jealous of Derkacz’s male colleagues and friends. The relationship reached a critical turning point in December 2023 when Derkacz requested that Sexton move out of the property, prompting the couple to begin sleeping in separate bedrooms. The prosecution noted a pattern of punitive actions taken by Sexton, including locking Derkacz out of her own home for returning late and filing false missing persons reports when he could not immediately locate her. The court was shown police body-worn camera footage from a welfare check conducted just weeks before the fatal incident.

In the video recording, Derkacz described her partner to responding officers as “very controlling” and “narcissistic.” She added, “He has this thing where he flips.”

Post-Mortem Findings and Post-Death Conduct

The Crown alleges that Derkacz was killed during the early morning hours of December 28, 2023. Instead of alerting an ambulance or law enforcement, Sexton allegedly departed the property on two separate occasions that morning to arrange meetings with s*x workers in the nearby city of Portsmouth. Derkacz’s body was discovered later that morning by her sister, Arleta, who entered the residence after becoming alarmed when her repeated phone calls went unanswered. Medical examiners conducting the post-mortem examination discovered three fractured bones in Derkacz's neck, alongside DNA evidence indicating that she had been s*xually assaulted before her death. UK Shocker: Police Officer Caught on Camera Receiving Oral S*x From Unidentified Woman in Shropshire, Arrested.

Family Context and Trial Duration

The prosecution also introduced testimony regarding prior physical violence. Arleta recalled a phone conversation from mid-December 2023 in which her sister disclosed that Sexton had placed his hands around her neck and restricted her breathing until she successfully managed to break free. Following the discovery of her body, Derkacz’s family released a formal statement through the Hampshire Police, remembering her as "such a special daughter, auntie, and sister." In an individual tribute, her sister wrote, “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 criminal trial at Portsmouth Crown Court is scheduled to proceed over the next eight weeks.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2026 03:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).