An engineer accused of the rape and murder of his partner allegedly threw a dog at her and reprimanded her for her clothing choices, a court has heard. Stephen Sexton, 39, is accused of subjecting Joanna Derkacz, 37, to a 12-month campaign of domestic abuse before her death on December 28, 2023.
During one argument, Sexton allegedly threw water at Derkacz and launched a dog at her. He also reportedly became angry about her attire, telling her she did not 'cover up enough,' the jury was told at Winchester Crown Court. Prosecutors allege Sexton strangled Derkacz in their Waterlooville, Hampshire, home in the early hours of the morning before visiting a sex worker.
Katarzyna Sliwinska, a friend of Derkacz, testified that she first became aware of problems in the relationship around September 2022. Derkacz had sought shelter at Sliwinska's home after Sexton became enraged while she was supposed to attend a festival with him. Derkacz stayed with Sliwinska for several days, reporting that Sexton had thrown water and a dog at her and had taken her work phone, preventing her from working. Sliwinska stated Derkacz mentioned "domestic abuse" but she could not recall specific details.
Sexton is also accused of controlling Derkacz by letting her car tire down to prevent her from going out. Kirsty Bradfield, a neighbor and friend of Derkacz, told the court that Sexton attempted to control Derkacz by deflating her tire so she could not drive. Bradfield also recounted Derkacz expressing dissatisfaction with the relationship in the weeks leading up to her death, stating Sexton was unhappy with her clothing and that their relationship deteriorated when he was using drugs.
Derkacz had reportedly caught Sexton with cocaine and refused to have sex with him when he was under the influence. A text message from Derkacz to Bradfield on December 12, 2023, just two weeks before her death, read: 'He is mental, he was trying to tell me yesterday that everything happened because I was late [by] one hour.' Derkacz added, 'He isn't enough for me. I need more from life than him.'
The jury previously heard that after Derkacz's alleged murder, Sexton immediately contacted two prostitutes and took her car to visit one. Prosecutors suggested Sexton's "first thought after the point of death was to try and find prostitutes," adding, "It may be that the act of killing her had raised arousal."
Sexton denies murder, rape, and coercive or controlling behavior. The trial is ongoing.