Exclusive:Waterlooville murder trial reaches halfway point as judge instructs jury to 'switch off social media'

A judge in a murder trial has given a stark warning to a jury as the evidence continues.

“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 earlier today (Monday, October 2), Judge Christopher Parker KC told the jury that the prosecution has reached the halfway point in its evidence.

He had received a note from the jury earlier in the morning, and urged them to block out any noise from the internet and social media about the trial.

Judge Parker said: “As jurors, in terms of impartial assessment and personal wellbeing, I am perfectly satisfied that you will fully understand the heavy obligations pushed upon you.

“We are only halfway through the evidence. You must not carry out any research on the internet or social media - the algorithm does feed you a particular topic, if it thinks you are interested.

“If you are in receipt of such activity on your profile, you should switch it off, and not use that social media platform. Do not allow your mind to be influenced by a machine, feeding you information.”

So far in the trial, the court has heard evidence from the likes of Ms Derkac’s sister, Arletta, as well as some of her friends and co-workers.

Many of them have testified about the “problems” she and Sexton had in their relationship, including incidents where he destroyed her phones and a work laptop.

(Proceeding)