A man who brutally stabbed the teenage mother of his child to death in front of horrified commuters at a train station has been sentenced to life in prison.

Jason Flore, 26, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years at Hove Crown Court for the murder of Stephanie Marie, 19, whom he stabbed in the heart at a disused car park near Crawley railway station on August 18 last year.

The tragic killing was described by Judge Jeremy Gold KC as an “explosion of violence fueled by anger and alcohol.”

A Relationship Marred by Control and Violence

Flore and Stephanie, both originally from Mauritius, had been living rough in a tent at the disused station car park before the attack. Their turbulent relationship began when Stephanie was just 14 years old, and Flore, then 21, began exerting control over her. By the time Stephanie was 17, she had given birth to their child.

During sentencing, Judge Gold highlighted the controlling and abusive nature of the relationship, describing it as one where “casual violence” was common. “If she sought to assert herself in any way, you would respond with violence,” he said. “By the time of her murder, you had successfully drawn her away from her immediate family.”

The Day of the Murder

On the morning of August 18, commuters witnessed a heated argument between Flore and Stephanie near the station footbridge. Witnesses reported seeing Flore acting aggressively towards Stephanie, who appeared upset. Within moments, Flore stabbed Stephanie in the chest, piercing her heart and aorta.

Emergency services arrived quickly, finding Stephanie curled up in the foetal position inside the tent she shared with Flore. Despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.

The court heard that both Flore and Stephanie had been drinking heavily the day before the murder. Judge Gold stated that Flore acted in a “fit of anger, possibly revenge”, leading to the fatal attack.

The Aftermath and Arrest

After the stabbing, Flore fled the scene with his dog. Chilling CCTV footage captured him walking his dog nonchalantly, wearing a red coat, just 45 minutes after the brutal killing. During this time, Flore disposed of key evidence, including his bloodstained tracksuit bottoms, and was later seen removing his trousers in an attempt to evade identification.

Flore tried to board a bus but was denied entry due to not having fare and being improperly dressed. He was eventually apprehended by armed officers near Three Bridges station, where he lay on the ground as his dog barked protectively.

Failure to Attend Sentencing

Flore refused to attend his sentencing hearing, an act that Judge Gold criticized as a “total lack of respect” toward Stephanie’s grieving family. His absence was seen as an attempt to avoid facing the consequences of his horrific crime.

A Family Shattered

Stephanie’s mother, Cathy Marie, delivered a heartbreaking victim impact statement in court, expressing her devastation at losing her daughter in such a brutal manner.

“I lost consciousness on the spot and afterwards I did not stop crying,” Cathy said, recounting the moment she learned of her daughter’s death. “She had all her life ahead of her. I cry for Stephanie every day. I have nightmares about Stephanie every day.”

Cathy described Stephanie as a “happy child” before meeting Flore but noted that their relationship changed her. “After Stephanie met Jason, the family life at home became difficult,” she said. “I do not know when they started sleeping rough.”

Justice Delivered

Detectives who led the investigation praised the bravery of witnesses who came forward and the community’s cooperation, which helped secure a conviction.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Leadbetter from Sussex Police said: “This was a tragic and senseless act of violence that took a young mother’s life. We hope that today’s sentencing brings some level of closure to Stephanie’s family.”

A Stark Reminder

The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of controlling and abusive relationships. Stephanie Marie, a young mother with her life ahead of her, fell victim to a relationship marred by control, violence, and substance abuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or violence, you can seek help from:

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – Call 0808 2000 247
• Refuge – www.refuge.org.uk
• Women’s Aid – www.womensaid.org.uk

Jason Flore will now serve at least 21 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole, but for Stephanie’s family, the pain of losing her will last a lifetime.