Man guilty of murdering 'kind' girlfriend

A man has been found guilty of the murder of his "kind, intelligent" girlfriend.

Norbert Maiksner, 49, suffocated 45-year-old Frances Obiefuleh by wrapping tape around her face in Havant, Hampshire, in April last year.

Her body was discovered after Maiksner was found by a highways officer walking on the hard shoulder of the M40 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, and told them to call the police to tell them what he had done.

A jury at Portsmouth Crown Court have found him guilty of murder and child cruelty. He has been remanded in custody to be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Monday.

The trial started on 15 March but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said Maiksner refused to attend court or engage in the proceedings.

He told officers that he had killed Obiefuleh and "stated that it was all a dream and that he wanted to wake up", a spokesperson added.

Paul Cavin KC, prosecuting, told the court that a post-mortem examination revealed she died of smothering with injuries caused by compression of the neck and chest.

He said the defendant also had scratches to his chest and back.

"The likely and frankly terrible conclusion is that they were inflicted by Frances with her fingers and fingernails during the attack by the defendant in her last moments as she struggled to stay alive," he said.

Following the verdict Obiefuleh's family released a tribute, describing her as "kind, intelligent, and resourceful" and a "caring and deeply loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many".

"She was a devoted mother and beautiful in every sense of the word," the statement said.

"Someone we love has been cruelly taken from us, and it has changed our lives forever.

"We have lost a truly beautiful soul. Her bright light has been cruelly dimmed, and we are left shaken, heartbroken, and still trying to process the grief and shock of losing Frances."

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