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Jurors discharged in trial of man accused of murdering and raping Waterlooville girlfriend
The trial was due to last eight weeks
Jurors in a trial of a man accused of murdering and raping his girlfriend have been discharged.
Stephen Sexton, 38, has been on trial at Portsmouth Crown Court accused of the murder of Joanna Derkacz, as well as rape, and controlling or coercive behaviour.
The 37-year-old woman was found dead at the couple’s home in Nevinson Way, Waterlooville, on December 28, 2023. Sexton, of Cherrywood Gardens in Totton, denies the charges.
The trial, which started last month, was due to last eight weeks with it set to conclude in early August but the jury has now been discharged.
A spokesperson for Portsmouth Crown Court said: “The trial could not be concluded, and the jury has been discharged. There will be a re-trial beginning 19 October 2026.”