A marine engineer accused of the rape and murder of his partner allegedly threw a dog at her during arguments and controlled her clothing choices, a court has heard. Stephen Sexton, 39, is also accused of letting down his girlfriend Joanna Derkacz's car tyre to prevent her from going out and reprimanding her for not covering up enough, according to evidence presented at Winchester Crown Court.
Sexton faces charges of subjecting Ms. Derkacz, 37, to a 12-month campaign of domestic abuse before allegedly raping and murdering her at their home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, on December 28, 2023. Prosecutors allege he strangled her in the early hours of the morning before visiting a sex worker.
A friend of Ms. Derkacz, Katarzyna Sliwinska, told the court that she first noticed problems in the relationship around September 2022. She recalled an incident where Ms. Derkacz returned home alone from a festival after Sexton allegedly became enraged. Ms. Derkacz later told her friend that Sexton had thrown water at her and launched a dog at her during a fight, though the specific cause of that argument was not recalled.
Ms. Sliwinska also testified that Ms. Derkacz stayed with her for three to four days after this incident, during which Sexton sent her numerous texts, stating it was "now or never" for them to reconcile. Ms. Derkacz's work phone was also taken by Sexton, preventing her from working. The couple eventually reunited, but broke up again by the new year, with Sexton allegedly destroying their home as he collected his belongings.
A neighbor, Kirsty Bradfield, also provided evidence, stating that Sexton had attempted to control Ms. Derkacz by deflating her car tyre. Ms. Derkacz confided in Mrs. Bradfield approximately three weeks before her death, expressing that Sexton was unhappy with her clothing and that their relationship was not going well. Ms. Derkacz also mentioned finding a bag of cocaine and noted that the relationship deteriorated when Sexton used drugs, stating she refused to have sex with him at those times.
Ms. Derkacz had texted Mrs. Bradfield on December 12, 2023, two weeks before her death, calling Sexton "mental" and expressing a desire for "more from life than him."
The jury previously heard that after Ms. Derkacz's alleged murder, Sexton immediately contacted prostitutes and drove Ms. Derkacz's car to visit one. Prosecutors suggested that the killing may have been linked to sexual arousal.
Sexton denies charges of murder, rape, and coercive or controlling behavior. The trial is ongoing.