A MAN has been jailed after living for more than two years with the body of his dead ex-partner lying on his sofa under a blanket.
Jamie Stevens, 51, kept the remains of 36-year-old Anouska Sites in the living room of his flat in Torquay, Devon, after finding her dead, and never told police.
PAJamie Stevens, 51, who was jailed for 14 months at Exeter Crown Court after finding his ex-partner dead on his sofa[/caption]
Stevens was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court to 14 months in prison for preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice.
The second offence related to lying to officers in a signed witness statement about when he had last seen Ms Sites.
Anouska was last seen in May 2022 but was not reported missing until April this year. Police then began an investigation to trace her.
They spoke to Stevens, who claimed he had not seen her since February or March 2022.
Officers visited the Upton Road flat several times but got no answer. Stevens later said he had moved out.
When police forced entry on 27 May 2025, they found the grim truth.
Prosecutor Hollie Gilbery said: “Police started to search the flat, and upon lifting a blanket in the living area they discovered a skeletal arm and hand.
“Officers did notice there were various fragranced items scattered around the lounge, inferring they must have been to mask any smells.”
The property was described as being like that of a hoarder, with rubbish, faeces and bottled urine strewn around.
Stevens told officers Anouska had stayed the night in January 2023.
He went out the next day and returned to find her dead on the sofa.
He admitted he “threw a blanket over her body” and carried on living in his bedroom, avoiding the lounge.
Defending, Paul Dentith said: “Ms Sites was a lovely person, my partner, my friend, and I was devastated when she died, and I miss her terribly. She deserved better.”
Mr Dentith added Stevens’s failure to report the death quickly became “self-perpetuating” as time went on.
Judge Anna Richardson told Stevens: “It seems you completely wrongly panicked and simply covered her body.
“You left her there for years.”
She described the case as “absolutely tragic” and accepted there was no evidence of foul play.
Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed Anouska’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
A file will be sent to the coroner.
Detective Inspector Jeanne Hellyer said: “Anouska was denied the dignity and right of a lawful burial on her death by Stevens.
“My thoughts remain with Anouska’s family and friends, who can now lay her to rest.”
Google MapsWhen police forced entry on 27 May 2025, they found the grim[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
