A HEATHROW worker stabbed his flatmate to death after listening to her having sex on a “love bug” he planted in their home, a court heard.
Sheldon Rodrigues allegedly became increasingly obsessed with Stephanie Hansen, 39, when she met boyfriend Celcso Cabillan.
PAStephanie Hansen was stabbed to death[/caption]
Jurors heard the trio all worked as cargo agents for Swissport at Heathrow airport.
Stephanie and Rodrigues had a sexual relationship several years before but she wanted no further romantic engagement with him, it was said.
The court heard she instead began seeing their colleague Celsco, who was married with children – causing Rodrigues to become consumed by jealousy.
The 30-year-old allegedly began planting bugs around his and Stephanie’s home in Hayes, West London, to spy on her.
He spent 158 hours in total listening to his flatmate while he was at work or visiting family in Goa – averaging around three hours a day, it was said.
After hearing Stephanie having sex, he “exploded with rage” and “brutally attacked” her while she was still in her pyjamas, jurors heard.
She was knifed multiple times in the neck and battered repeatedly over the head – leaving blood splattered across her bedroom.
Rodrigues then rang 999 and told the operator he had found her body, saying “I think her boyfriend has done something to her”.
After he was arrested, police found messages showing his “long-standing obsession” with Stephanie, it was said.
He had text his colleague telling her “I want u”, and also wrote: “It hurts to see you every day knowing you’ll never like me.”
The alleged killer also told Stephanie he would wait “50 years” for her, the court heard.
During his evidence, Rodrigues was asked about a number of “flattering” photos of Stephanie that were found in his bedroom.
Prosecutor Gareth Patterson KC said: “It wasn’t just a case of you fancying her and wanting her to be in a relationship with you, you had a really unhealthy obsession with her didn’t you?”
The court was told Rodrigues also offered to change his lifestyle and get plastic surgery if it would make him more “attractive” to Stephanie.
And he allegedly messaged her asking if her boyfriend had a “bigger one” than him.
But Rodrigues denied being controlling and instead claimed he was concerned for his flatmate’s wellbeing.
He added: “I was concerned with Celcso because of the other life that he had.
“It didn’t seem like he was going to leave his wife because he was never giving a normal answer when asked the question.
“He kept giving her false hope over and over again and I didn’t like that.”
Rodrigues denies murder. The trial continues.
Metropolitan PoliceStephanie was still wearing her pyjamas when she was killed[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
