A jury has convicted a man of murder for stabbing his girlfriend to death in a railway station car park where the couple were sleeping rough in a tent.
Jason Flore, 26, was found guilty of murder today (Wednesday 19 February) after a trial lasting two and a half weeks at Hove Crown Court. Jurors spent three hours and 40 minutes deliberating before returning their verdict.
Stephanie Marie, 19, died from a 5in (13cm) deep wound to the chest that punctured her aorta, the biggest artery in the body, close to her heart.
Flore, who denied murder, said that he had not even been at the scene. He is due to be sentenced at the same court tomorrow by Judge Jeremy Gold, the trial judge.
The court was told that, on Sunday 18 August 2024, at around 7.05am, police were called after Flore was seen arguing with Miss Marie in the station car park by a witness on the bridge.
Flore was described as being very aggressive and waving his hands at Miss Marie who was undressed from the waist down, visibly upset and distressed and holding a knife.
Meanwhile, at 7.18am, a separate 999 call was made calling for an ambulance, reporting that a woman – Miss Marie – had been stabbed.
The caller said that she was not breathing but they needed to leave for their train. The number was later confirmed to belong to Flore.
Flore was then seen by the witness walking away from the station car park, accompanied by his dog, and wearing a red jacket. She took pictures of him as he did so.
Flore tried to get on a bus but was refused travel – he had at this point taken off his jacket but was still wearing a pair of joggers with blood on the knee. He continued to make his way towards the town centre.
Paramedics and officers went to the station where Miss Marie was found with a stab wound to the chest.
While paramedics worked to try to save her, a search that included armed response officers continued to look for Flore.
He was found and stopped at about 8am near Haslett Avenue East, heading towards Three Bridges railway station. He told officers: “She did it to herself.”
He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder by armed officers from Sussex Police.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Miss Marie was pronounced dead at the scene at 8.16am and Flore was further arrested for murder just moments later.
The senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Sam Blackburn, from the British Transport Police (BTP), said: “Stephanie was a young woman with a whole life ahead of her to enjoy but had it stolen away by a controlling and coercive partner.
“She was a much-loved daughter, sister and mother who enjoyed sports, music – especially playing guitar – and had ambitions to be a hairdresser.
“This outcome is the result of countless hours of investigation and I thank everyone who has contributed to ensuring Stephanie’s killer has been held accountable for what he did today. It is important that we remember her name today instead of his.
“While today’s verdict will never replace the tragic loss felt by those who loved Stephanie, it has ensured that justice has been served. I hope this outcome helps them find some peace after such a devastating loss.”
