Exclusive:Joanna Derkacz's work colleague thought boyfriend 'will kill her', she tells court
“I was scared for her - I thought... he will kill her.”
A colleague of a woman found dead in her home has told a jury she was worried that she might be killed by her boyfriend.
“Jealous” Stephen Sexton, 39, is alleged to have strangled Joanna Derkacz, 37, in the early hours of December 28, 2023, at their home in Nevinson Way, Waterlooville.
Sexton, of Cherrywood Gardens, Totton, denies murder, rape, and coercive or controlling behaviour at the retrial.
At Winchester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, October 29), the court heard from Sarah Duke, who previously worked with Ms Derkacz and was her manager. She recounted several times the alleged murder victim told her about issues she had in her relationship.
Ms Duke told the court she was “scared” for Ms Derkacz’s safety after the pair discussed a string of incidents, including one time where the latter said they were “arguing all bloody weekend”.
The court previously heard how Sexton broke Ms Derkacz’s laptop and a work phone - but Ms Duke added that multiple phones were broken during their relationship.
She said: “It was the same scenario; I think the other time was water damage. He took her phone into the bathroom and it was in there that it got damaged, from what I can remember.
“I offered to make a report to the police about the criminal damage. She [Ms Derkacz] said she had enough problems already.
“I thought that the next time this happens, he will kill her.”
The instances of Sexton breaking Ms Derkacz’s phones came from a place of jealousy, Ms Duke told the jury. He was apparently concerned about a friendship she struck up with a work client called Michael - and often took her phone to look through any messages she had been sending.
“Sexton had problems,” Ms Duke added. “Michael was just one example of this, but Ms Derkacz spoke to a lot of male employees, and that was why he would take her phone.
“We had many conversaitons about it, not just over text. We talked about it a lot in-person, rather than via messages.
“I was scared for her. He was aggressive, manipulative and incredibly intimidating. Somone who smashes a laptop is clearly trying to intimidate people.”
(Proceeding)