Woman Told Sister Boyfriend Choked Her Until She Couldn't Breathe, Trial Hears

A woman told her sister that her violent boyfriend would choke her until she "couldn't breathe" days before he allegedly strangled her to death, a trial has heard.

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 December 28, 2023. Prosecutors allege Sexton murdered Ms. Derkacz by strangling her shortly after midnight.

Ms. Derkacz's body was discovered on her bed by her sister, Arleta Derkacz, who testified that her sister had confided in her about previous violent incidents. Arleta told the court that Joanna had described Sexton choking her "until she couldn't breathe," recounting an incident that occurred a few months before Christmas 2023.

"She said: 'If I didn't push him away he would hurt me, he would choke me, like I couldn't breathe,'" Arleta testified. She described her sister as "brave" and someone who "wanted to handle everything herself," admitting that she regretted not intervening more forcefully, calling it "the biggest mistake of my life."

Arleta Derkacz stated that she had offered her sister money to leave the home she shared with Sexton, but Ms. Derkacz refused the offer. Arleta explained that due to their difficult childhood and witnessing domestic violence previously, she and her sister were accustomed to such situations, which influenced her initial reaction.

"Joanna was fine putting up with it [the alleged strangling from Sexton] because she was used to it," Arleta told the court. "We were so used to it, that's why I didn't react."

During her testimony, Arleta also recounted finding her sister's body. She had gone to the home because Ms. Derkacz was not returning her calls. Upon arrival, she found Sexton, whom she described as appearing "petrified" with "dead eyes." She pushed past him to find Ms. Derkacz unresponsive on the bed.

Arleta further testified that as she left the house, she saw Sexton holding a large kitchen knife and believed he said, "I'm sorry." She ran out, shouting, "you killed my sister." Her partner pulled her from the house, and she described being "petrified."

Prosecutors previously told the court that Sexton contacted sex workers in the moments after Ms. Derkacz's death, allegedly because he became "aroused." Jurors heard he contacted two individuals after the murder, using Ms. Derkacz's car to visit one.

Sexton denies all charges, including murder, rape, and coercive or controlling behavior. The trial is ongoing at Winchester Crown Court.