Exclusive:'You will remember it forever': Man accused of murder sent chilling messages to ex-girlfriend on Christmas Eve
Sexton denies charges of murder, rape, and coercive or controlling behaviour.
The man accused of murdering his ex-partner threatened to give her something ‘you will remember forever’ - just days before she was found dead.
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.
The just at Winchester Crown Court were shown WhatsApp messages between Sexton and Ms Derkacz over the course of their tumultuous relationship, with the topics of Sexton’s jealousy, anger and finances being ever-present.
On one occasion in April, Sexton blamed an argument they were having on Ms Derkacz being on her period. He said: “Stop letting your period make you obstructive.”
By December 22, their relationship had come to an end, but on Christmas Eve he vowed to give her a “final goodbye”.
In messages read out in court, Ms Derkacz said: “If you ever loved me you wouldn’t be violent towards me, abusing me, and cheating on me. At least I don’t have to lose another year on you and your sick head.
“You are a devil.”
Sexton said: “You created this. You pushed for this. Not long to go and it will be all over.
“It’s not done yet. The end - you will remember it forever.
“This is my final goodbye to you. You will never need to talk to me, look at me, or be near me, ever again.
“To be honest, it probably won’t have any effect on you anyway.”
Despite breaking up, the pair had agreed to continue living together until they had sold their puppies. They also had two adult dogs, and had agreed to keep one each. After this, Sexton had planned to go back to his mother’s house, the court heard.
Data from his phone showed that Sexton returned to Nevinson Way on December 28 at 12.20am, leaving the house 30 minutes later after arranging to meet with an escort in Portsmouth.
Ms Derkacz’s body was found later that day, and her phone had been put into ‘aeroplane mode’ - meaning it could not send or receive phone calls, messages, nor access the internet.
(Proceeding)