Waterlooville murder trial: Joanna Derkacz told police boyfriend was 'unpredictable' and 'spiteful'

A girlfriend who was allegedly murdered by her “unpredictable” boyfriend told police before her death he was “controlling and narcissistic" as well as being “spiteful”, a court heard

“Jealous” Stephen Sexton, 38, is alleged to have killed Joanna Derkacz, 37, in the early hours of December 28, 2023, at their home in Nevinson Way, Waterlooville.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard how Sexton displayed jealous, controlling and coercive behaviour after their relationship of three years broke down while they still lived together. The defendant denies murder, rape and controlling or coercive behaviour.

The court heard how Sexton reported Ms Derkacz missing to police after being concerned she might have been in a crash after leaving the house early on December 11, 2023, following an argument between the pair.

Despite Ms Derkacz returning home later that day, PC Abby Gilbert and a colleague went to the address to check on her welfare.

Bodycam video, played to the court, showed her answering the door before bursting into tears and telling officers she had been away to visit friends.

When questioned about her relationship with Sexton, she described him as “controlling and narcissistic” and how he had been “aggressive towards me”. She added: “When I came back he opened the door and started pushing me.”

Ms Derkacz told officers Sexton had smashed her laptop. “He took it off me and took it upstairs and started jumping on it,” she said.

Detailing forms of “spiteful” abuse she suffered at Sexton’s hands, Ms Derkacz revealed how when she slept on the sofa he would bring cups of water and “splash my face” and had thrown water at her on one occasion, as well as take her phone off her.

She continued: “He was so spiteful. When I was in the shower he would switch the lights out. He was trying to make a point he was not happy. It’s pathetic.”

Ms Derkacz went on to say: “I don’t deserve a life like that. I don’t need him - he needs me.”

She told officers Sexton “does have a good side” but said: “When he flips I’m frightened of him. He’s unpredictable. You don’t know what he’s going to come up with.”

Ms Derkacz said she wanted to leave him but was finding it difficult, with her saying: “I had problems with leaving him. You feel sorry for them. I want to help him.”

But she admitted feeling “isolated” and had only been out four times in three years such was Sexton’s behaviour when she did. “He would make me feel like I’d done something. He’s crazy,” she said, describing how she was also called derogatory terms as he was “so jealous”.

On another occasion, the victim revealed how she had found a message from a sex worker on Sexton’s phone revealing how he owed her £150. This sparked a row with Ms Derkacz who even offered to pay.

When confiding to the officers, Ms Derkacz said Sexton was “obsessed” with her social media and was a loner. “He doesn’t have friends. He destroys every relationship because he’s toxic,” she said.

She revealed how the defendant stopped smoking cannabis for a year but would go back on it when he “flips” and had turned to alcohol in its absence.

His engineering business had gone into liquidation with him living on his warehouse floor at one stage before he got a job as a contractor. Splitting up with his previous partner had also impacted his mental health, with Ms Derkacz saying Sexton had threatened suicide on one occasion.

Speaking of her own safety, Ms Derkacz told officers that Sexton would now be “very wary” after the police confirmed they would speak to him about what she had said.

However, despite efforts to arrange a voluntary interview this never materialised as PC Gilbert had to move the arranged dates due to operational demands. Sexton had contacted her to try and arrange a time. “Mr Sexton was cooperative and proactive in trying to come and speak to you,” Jodie Mittell KC, for the defence, said, which PC Gilbert agreed with.

Ms Derkacz was subsequently found dead 17 days later.

(Proceeding)