Frances Obiefuleh murder trial: Man accused of killing Havant girlfriend - but has not appeared in court

Norbert Maiksner, 48 from Timsbury Crescent, Havant, has been charged with the murder of a woman in her 40s and one count of child neglect. Police discovered the body of 45-year-old Frances Obiefuleh at an address in Havant on April 17, 2025.

At Portsmouth Crown Court, the trial has got underway, but Maiksner was nowhere to be seen, either in court or appearing via video link.

Once the jury was brought in, Mr Justice Murray explained that proceedings would continue without the defendant - who has chosen not to attend court.

He said: “The defendant is not here today. When a person is being tried of murder, the defendant is held on remand in prison. That is not evidence of guilt, of course.

“Yesterday and today (March 16 and 17) he has declined the prison transport to attend the trial in-person. He cannot be forced to do so.

“There is no question about his physical or mental fitness, and I am satisfied that his failure to attend is voluntary. It does happen from time to time; he is represented by counsel and I have decided the trial can proceed in his absence.”

The jury was also told that prison transport will still be available to Maiksner throughout the trial - which is expected to last between two and three weeks - and so he could appear in court at a later date.

Mr Justice Murray added: “The most important thing is that you must bear in mind that this is not in itself evidence of guilt, so do not hold it against him.”

Opening the case, prosecutor Paul Cavin KC said the body of Ms Obiefuleh discovered by police, murdered in her home; Maiksner had been found walking along a slip road of the M40 near High Wycombe, where he told a traffic officer, “You will need to call the police. I’ve killed my girlfriend.”

Bodycam footage from the traffic officer was then played to the court, followed by footage of Maiksner being arrested by police. A video was then played of police entering the woman’s home through a window, and finding her body on the floor. Blue tape had been wrapped around the victim’s face and head.

A post-mortem concluded that the woman’s cause of death was smothering, with an element of neck and/or chest compression.

The court heard how Maiksner had been in a relationship with Ms Obiefuleh, but ended things the day before her body was found. A doorbell camera from a neighbour showed someone entering the woman’s house from Maiksner’s car at 9.45pm on April 16, with another neighbour reportedly hearing “four consecutive bangs” at around 10pm.

After Maiksner was arrested and brought to Portsmouth Police Station, a number of scratches and abrasions were found on his body, the jury was told. The defendant was unable to date these scratches when asked by police at the time. The prosecution suggested these were inflicted by the victim while she was attacked by the accused.

In police interviews, Maiksner declined legal representation, then remained silent when questions and at one point “nodded off” - telling police he did not wish to talk to them.

The prosecutor said: “When taken to the police station, he has neither commented on nor retracted the statement he gave.”

Maiksner has not attended previous court hearings and having not pleaded himself, Mr Justice Murray entered a not guilty plea on Maiksner’s behalf.

Proceeding