SHELDON RODRIGUES

HAYES MAN WHO SPIED ON HOUSEMATE AND STABBED HER TO DEATH GETS LIFE

A man who spied on his housemate with surveillance equipment before stabbing her to death has been jailed for life.

Sheldon Rodrigues, 30, killed Stephanie Hansen, 39, in Hayes, west London, in December 2022 after she turned down his advances.

He was convicted of murder by a jury at the Old Bailey in January.

As he was sentenced to a minimum term of 25 years, Ms Hansen's mother Glenda told Rodrigues: "You took her life and you stole her future." During the trial, it was revealed Rodrigues had been obsessed with Ms Hansen for at least seven years and had even offered to have surgery to change his appearance.

He became angry and jealous after Ms Hansen rejected him and started seeing a work colleague.

Prosecutors stated Rodrigues bought spy devices, sent an abusive message under the name Jamie Oliver, and complained to their employer.

He learned via the spy devices that her boyfriend had visited her at the house.

When Rodrigues arrived home and listened in on their most private moments, he exploded with rage and brutally attacked Ms Hansen.

Rodrigues stabbed her repeatedly, causing over 60 injuries, and blamed her boyfriend for the killing.

The court heard alarms of his obsession and propensity for violence, detailed by the judge as a sustained and ferocious attack motivated by anger and premeditation.