Norbert Maiksner, who is Polish, was convicted following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court of the murder of 45-year-old Frances Obiefuleh at their home in Havant, Hampshire, as well as a charge of child neglect.

Paul Cavin KC, prosecuting, told the trial that the defendant was found by a Highways Officer walking along the hard shoulder of the M40 motorway across the county border near High Wycombe, on the morning of April 17, 2025.

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Maiksner told the officer that they should call the police because he had killed his girlfriend.

Mr Cavin said that a post-mortem examination revealed that Ms Obiefuleh died of smothering with injuries caused by compression of the neck and chest.

Mr Cavin said that the defendant also had scratches to his chest and back, and added: “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.”

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said that Maiksner had not attended the trial and it had gone ahead in his absence.

The force spokesman said: “During his trial the court heard that Maiksner had told officers that he had killed Frances and stated that it was all a dream and that he wanted to wake up.”

Frances Obiefuleh (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)

Detective Sergeant Heather Kenwright said: “I am glad to see Maiksner face a life behind bars for committing the most heinous and evil of acts, it is what he deserves for taking the life of an innocent woman.

“He has caused such unthinkable suffering to both Frances in the last moments of her life, and to her family, who have had their loved one taken from them so brutally and must now try to rebuild their lives without her.

“My thoughts remain with Frances’s family, and whilst no sentence can ever truly bring them justice for the tragic loss of Frances’s life, I hope it brings them some semblance of closure to know that Maiksner is now facing the consequences of his abhorrent actions.”

Paying tribute to Ms Obiefuleh, her family said in a statement released through police: “Frances was kind, intelligent, and resourceful – 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.

“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.”

Supermarkets regularly reduce the price of food and drink items that are coming close to their best before, use by or display by dates, but shoppers aren’t happy with prices seen at the likes of Sainsbury’s and Tesco recently.

On Facebook, one customer shared a picture of a punnet of raspberries sold at Sainsbury’s with a yellow reduced-price sticker on it.

They said that raspberries being available for £2.50 at the normal price and reduced to £2.25 with the best before date of the next day was “ridiculous” and claimed it’s not the first time they’ve seen small reductions such as this.

What’s the difference between best before and use-by?

The caption of the post reads: “This is what I hate about Sainsbury’s, or at least my local Sainsbury’s in Cornwall.

“25p off!! there were loads of these as well as many other fruits and veg “reduced” with tomorrows date, they’ll end up in the bin out the back because of their pure greed!!

“It’s not just fruit and veg, my local store does these ridiculous reductions on everything!!”

Shoppers call out “ridiculous” reduced prices of fresh fruit

The post in the Bargain Lovers Facebook group, which has 1.2 million members, started a discussion with other members, with some agreeing that a day before a best before date, food should be reduced by more than 25p.

Some people said they’d seen similar price reductions in supermarkets other than Sainsbury’s.

This person commented: “Tesco the same especially the finest stuff”.

Another said: “Pointless them doing this!

“I’d rather pay the extra 25p for new and know they’ll last for longer”.

One shopper said: “They would rather chuck food than help, all stores the same .

“evil when people going hungry”.

However, some shoppers don’t think it’s a bad thing: “That’s not bad for tomorrow’s date, they’ll be reduced more tomorrow.”

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Another customer said: “They get reduced further on the actual day”.

This person added: “No, they’ll be reduced further tomorrow and if they still don’t sell they’ll be collected by charity/food banks.”

Newsquest has contacted Sainsbury’s and Tesco for comment.

Do you think supermarkets should reduce the price of fresh products by more than 25p the day before the best before date? Let us know in the comments.

Published today (Wednesday, April 1), the plan sets out how the force will prevent, reduce, and respond to ASB.

It forms part of policing’s commitment to the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, a key element of the Government’s Safer Streets mission, and is being launched by all police forces in England and Wales.

A spokesperson for the force said: “ASB can have a significant impact on individuals, communities, and businesses, and Thames Valley Police is committed to tackling it consistently and transparently, with victims at the centre.”

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Thames Valley Police’s action plan. (Image: Thames Valley Police)

The ASB Action Plan outlines seven key themes which highlight the force’s approach to tackling ASB.

The first of these is to understand ASB better, with officers making sure everyone understands what ASB is and helping people report issues to the right agency as well as reduce unnecessary delays.

Officers will also strengthen engagement with all communities and improve how data is used to identify hotspots, repeat victims, and emerging trends to ensure resources are targeted where they’re needed most.

The force will also work with partners to stop ASB before it starts and tackle root causes as well as ensure victims get the help they need, including emotional support and alternative solutions.

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Finally, Thames Valley Police pledges keep the public and partners informed about what we’re doing and how we’re making progress and make sure work on ASB is shared publicly so everyone can see what’s being achieved.

Thames Valley Police strategic ASB lead, Superintendent John Batty said: “Anti-social behaviour affects people’s lives in lasting ways, and together with partners we are committed to tackling it.

“Our ASB Action Plan has been developed in close collaboration with our partners, using experts across Thames Valley to gain local insight and experience to make sure it reflects the needs of our communities.

“By improving our understanding of ASB, using data more intelligently, and strengthening neighbourhood policing, we are committed to delivering a consistent, victim‑focused approach.

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“Partnership working sits at the heart of this, ensuring we can prevent ASB, support victims effectively, and build stronger, safer neighbourhoods across the Thames Valley.”

Police and crime commissioner Matthew Barber said: “Anti‑social behaviour can have a real and lasting impact on people’s wellbeing and confidence.

“Bringing partners together to help prevent and tackle it and improve the response for victims is one of my key priorities.

“I support Thames Valley Police’s ASB Action Plan, which clearly sets out the force’s commitment and approach, and my office will work with the force to both support and scrutinise its delivery.

“By strengthening neighbourhood policing, making better use of data, and working closely with partners, this plan will help ensure communities receive a consistent and visible response to the issues that matter most to them.”