Man tried to visit sex workers after killing partner, jury told

A “controlling” and “narcissistic” man tried to visit two sex workers shortly after raping and murdering his girlfriend, a jury has heard.

Stephen Sexton, 39, is accused of killing Joanna Derkacz at her home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, in December 2023.

Sexton, of Cherrywood Gardens, in Totton, Hampshire, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court.

He denies raping and murdering the 37-year-old recruitment consultant, as well as behaving in a coercive or controlling manner.

The court has previously heard in the weeks before her death the relationship had become increasingly violent and threatening.

Prosecutors claim Sexton’s first actions after Derkacz died had been to try to find sex workers in Portsmouth.

The jury was told Sexton, who ran a welding business, twice left the couple’s home in Nevinson Way and travelled to the city in Derkacz’s car.

The court was shown images, which it was claimed showed Sexton making those journeys, as well as messages between him and two women he was trying to meet.