Man to appear at crown court after being charged with the murder and rape of Joanna Derkacz

On Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 11.30am the police were called to a report that Joanna’s body had been discovered inside a house on Nevinson Way in Waterlooville.

A detailed investigation was conducted to establish what happened and how Joanna died.

Expert evidence reports following a Home Office Post-Mortem led to Stephen Edward Sexton, of Cherrywood Gardens in Totton being charged with murder and rape.

Sexton appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court on Saturday, May 10 and he has been remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday, May 13. The 37-year-old was previously arrested and charged with coercive or controlling behaviour and criminal damage.

It was alleged that Sexton controlled Joanna for 16 months prior to her death and the pair had been in a relationship for three years in total.

For more information about the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, click here.