A violent drifter who controlled and abused his teenage lover stabbed her through the heart in a drunken rage.
By Ben Freeman
In a decisive conclusion to a harrowing case, 26-year-old Jason Pascal Flore has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his partner, 19-year-old teenage Mum Stephanie Marie. The sentencing, delivered at Hove Crown Court, mandates that Flore serve a minimum of 21 years before eligibility for parole.
The incident occurred on August 18, 2024, at approximately 7:10 AM, in the car park of Crawley railway station. Eyewitnesses reported a heated altercation between Flore and Ms. Marie, during which Flore was observed behaving aggressively. Ms. Marie appeared visibly distressed and was partially undressed. The confrontation escalated when Flore stabbed Ms. Marie in the chest, inflicting a fatal wound that pierced her heart and aorta. Despite prompt medical attention, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the attack, Flore fled the scene with his dog, discarding his bloodstained clothing in nearby bushes. He contacted emergency services, falsely claiming that Ms. Marie had stabbed herself and that he was merely a bystander. Flore was apprehended approximately 45 minutes later near Three Bridges railway station. Upon arrest, he maintained his fabricated account, stating, "She did it to herself."
During the trial, it was revealed that both Flore and Ms. Marie were originally from Mauritius and had been living together in a makeshift tent near the station. Their relationship began when Ms. Marie was 14 and Flore was 21. Over time, Ms. Marie became increasingly isolated from her family, and the relationship was characterized by controlling and coercive behavior on Flore's part. Despite Flore's attempts to deflect blame and his absence from the sentencing hearing, the jury found him guilty of murder.
In a victim impact statement, Ms. Marie's mother, Cathy, expressed profound grief over the loss of her daughter, describing her as a:
"much-loved daughter, sister, and mother" who "had her whole life ahead of her." She recounted Stephanie's enthusiasm for sports, including basketball, football, and gymnastics, and her aspirations of becoming a hairdresser. The family emphasized the devastating impact of her untimely death, stating, "We will miss her so much. Life will never be the same."
Detective Superintendent Sam Blackburn of the British Transport Police commented on the case, highlighting the tragic loss of a young woman due to the actions of a controlling partner. He acknowledged the extensive investigative efforts that led to the conviction and expressed hope that the verdict would provide some measure of solace to Ms. Marie's loved ones.
This case underscores the severe consequences of domestic abuse and the critical importance of supporting and protecting vulnerable individuals within our communities.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
Bénédict Tarot Freeman
Editor-at-Large VPN City-Desk
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