A man has denied murdering the teenage mother of his child in a car park outside a railway station.
Jason Pascal Flore pleaded not guilty to murdering 19-year-old Stephanie Marie who was stabbed in the heart in Crawley in August.
Flore, 26, was arraigned – formally charged – at Lewes Crown Court today (Wednesday 6 November) before Judge Christine Laing, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove.
He was remanded in custody and is due to face a trial by jury starting on Monday 3 February.
Police were called to the car park in Station Way, Crawley, shortly after 7am on Sunday 18 August to reports of an altercation between a man and a woman.
Stephanie Marie, who was born in Mauritius and had a daughter by Flore, was found with stab wounds to her chest and died at the scene.
At a previous hearing, Patrick Dennis, prosecuting, said that the trial was expected to take three weeks.
In August, the British Transport Police said: “Stephanie Marie was found in the station car park at around 7.10am where she was sadly declared dead by paramedics. Her injuries were consistent with being stabbed.
“Detectives investigating the incident have charged 26-year-old Jason Pascal Flore with murder.”
Shortly after her death, the senior investigating officer, Temporary Detective Superintendent Sam Blackburn, said: “Our specialist officers are supporting Stephanie’s family and friends.
“We continue to urge anyone with any information which could aid our investigation to get in touch with us.”
The BTP added: “Anyone with any information is urged to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or by texting 61016 quoting Operation Venn.
“Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.”
In a tribute, her family said: “Stephanie was a much-loved daughter, sister and mother. We are devastated that her young life has been ended in this way. She had her whole life ahead of her.
“At school she excelled at sport and loved basketball, football and gymnastics. We will miss her so much. Life will never be the same.”
