Dartford Man Convicted of Murdering Woman in Sleep Before Sexually Abusing Her Body
A man has admitted to murdering a woman in her sleep before committing a sexual act on her body in one of the most disturbing crimes seen in the county in recent years.
Ernestas Juska, 21, of Henderson Drive, Dartford, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court today (18 July) to murder and committing a sexual offence against a deceased female.
Victim Attacked as She Slept
The court heard how Juska attacked his 39-year-old victim — described as a family friend — with a large kitchen knife in the early hours of 17 August 2024. The woman had been staying overnight at his Dartford home.
Juska told police he had consumed alcohol and cocaine the night before and, around 6.40am, selected a knife from the kitchen, went upstairs, and stabbed the woman multiple times as she slept in bed.
He later sexually abused her body, describing in interviews how the murder had given him a sense of “excitement”. Officers said the injuries were catastrophic.
Confession and Arrest
Juska was arrested that morning after approaching a member of the public in Wordsworth Way, telling them to call police as he had “killed someone.” Patrol officers found him at a bus stop, and he directed them to the nearby scene of the crime on Henderson Drive.
Upon entering the property, they discovered the woman’s lifeless body on the bed, surrounded by evidence of a brutal attack.
Sentencing Set for November
Juska remains in custody and will be sentenced on 28 November 2025.
Police Statement
Detective Sergeant Max Gregory, who led the investigation, said:
“The depravity of Juska’s actions is almost indescribable. He inflicted horrific injuries on his defenceless victim and admitted he had no real motive — other than wanting to harm someone who wasn’t close to him.
For him to then commit further heinous acts on the woman after her death speaks to a truly disturbing mindset. He showed no remorse and instead recounted his actions with chilling detachment.”
