Exclusive:Joanna Derkacz's neighbour 'heard screaming' before learning Waterlooville woman had died
Stephen Sexton has denied murdering and raping Joanna Derkacz.
The neighbour of a woman found dead in her home heard “screaming” before emergency services arrived, a jury has been told.
Stephen Sexton, 38, is on trial accused of the murder of Joanna Derkacz, as well as rape, and controlling or coercive behaviour. The 37-year-old was found dead at the couple’s home in Nevinson Way, Waterlooville on December 28, 2023. Sexton denies the charges.
At Portsmouth Crown Court this week, evidence has largely focused on DNA and pathological findings. But today (Thursday, July 9), the jury was told about what happened on the day Joanna was found dead.
Next-door neighbour, Kirtsty Bradfield, told the court of how Joanna had confided in her about the nature of her relationship with Sexton - including how it had already come to an end when she died.
Mrs Bradfield said: “She was planning to take him [Sexton] off the rental agreement. He was going to be leaving the property by January 2024.
“Joanna started opening up to me about three weeks before she died. She informed me that their relationship was no longer compatible, that there were issues relating to drugs and him taking them. She felt controlled, with him not liking her wearing certain clothing and things like that.
“He would take away her phone and the television remote, and broke her laptop as well. She was getting pushed around a lot.”
Mrs Bradfield told the jury she last spoke to Joanna on December 27, 2023 - just one day before she died. Joanna was planning to tell her parents about the plight of her relationship with Sexton, she added.
“I heard screaming outside at around 11.30am,” she said. “I got off the phone and ran outside, as did all my neighbours. We could see a woman and a man - the woman was screaming, shouting out ‘she’s dead, she’s dead’.
“I asked her what was wrong and she told me Joanna was dead. She was so distraught.”
The court was told that the woman who was ‘screaming’ was Joanna’s sister Arleta, who gave evidence earlier in the trial. She told the jury how she went to Joanna’s house when her sister was not answering the phone, and found Joanna’s body in the bedroom.
She ran out of the house “crying and shouting” she said to the court. Emergency services arrived within five minutes of being called, Mrs Bradfield confirmed.
Mrs Bradfield added: “Sexton didn’t want her to have a life. He just wanted her to be alone, at home, with the dogs.”
Defending Sexton, Jodie Mittell KC brought up how Joanna had also been taking drugs. Mrs Bradfield told the court she had no knowledge of this.
(Proceeding)