Man admits murdering woman in her sleep
A man has pleaded guilty to murdering a woman in her sleep and committing a sexual offence against her afterwards.
Ernesta Juska, 21, entered the pleas at a hearing today (Friday 18 July) at Maidstone Crown Court, following the death of Nina Denisova in August 2024 at an address in Dartford.
Juska stabbed Nina, who was a friend of the family, repeatedly while she was sleeping. Juska later told police that he decided to kill someone, but claimed he did not know why.
He then left the family home and walked to a nearby bus stop, where he asked a member of the public to call police, as he had just killed someone.
Will Bodiam from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with Kent Police to build the strongest possible case, with this joint work resulting in today’s guilty plea from Juska to the charges against him
“For unimaginable reasons, he carried out a violent and sustained attack on a woman he knew. Today he has had no option but to plead guilty to this horrendous act.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Nina at this exceptionally difficult time.”
Notes to editors
- Ernesta Juska [24/02/2004] pleaded guilty to murder and sexual penetration of a corpse at a mention hearing at Maidstone Crown Court. He will be sentenced at a later date.
- Will Bodiam is a Senior Crown Prosecutor within the CPS South East Complex Casework Unit.