Man jailed for murdering girlfriend in Bournemouth

Alberto Fioletti, from Fordingbridge, stabbed his ex-partner Stephanie Hodgkinson seven times in an attack described as “ferocious” and “evil”.

Fioletti, 31, killed Stephanie at her Bournemouth home because she ended their relationship of seven months.

He then stabbed himself in the stomach and told a 999 operator he had ‘killed his girlfriend’ and had ‘tried to kill himself’ too.

The defendant admitted a charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denied murder.

Alberto Fioletti (Image: CPS)

He was found guilty of murder following a four-week long jury trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Stephanie, 34, has been described by family and friends as a “remarkable young woman” and someone that “touched the hearts of everyone she met”.

In a statement shared in court, Stephanie’s mum said: “We as a family will be without Stephanie for the rest of our lives and it seems unimaginable.

"I cannot describe the impact of my daughter's life being taken in such a cruel and senseless way.

"I would not wish this pain on anyone.”

"Stephanie had her whole life in front of her. She intended to make every second count."

Police at Stephanie's home in Bournemouth (Image: Newsquest)

Fioletti appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, January 15 to be sentenced for Stephanie’s murder.

Mitigating, Nicholas Haggan KC, said his client had showed "very real" remorse since the murder on May 12.

He accepted that Fioletti’s emotionally unstable personality disorder had not played a 'substantial' part in the killing, but said it did play a 'significant' one. 

Summarising the case, Judge Susan Evans KC said: "In the words of her mother, your horrific and senseless act led to the loss of Stephanie.

"The impact on the whole family is beyond description and they will never get over the loss of Stephanie.

"Regrettably, there is nothing this court can say or do to compensate the loss of Stephanie's life."

Judge Susan Evans KC sentenced Fioletti to life with a minimum term of 15 years in prison.

Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins read a statement outside Bournemouth Crown Court (Image: NQ)

Daniel Marsh, senior crown prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “This was a senseless attack on an innocent young woman who was well within her rights to end a relationship she no longer wanted.

“Fioletti’s inability to come to terms with this and failure to manage his own emotions culminated in the needless murder of Ms Hodgkinson.”

Detective inspector Mark Jenkins of Dorset Police added: “I pay tribute to Stephanie’s family and friends who attended throughout the ordeal of the four-week trial and I hope the sentencing today provides some comfort to Stephanie’s loved ones and they can close this particular chapter in their grief.

"I thought the judge’s comments captured the details of the investigation and the circumstances and I support the decision of the court."