Bournemouth vet guilty of murdering ex-girlfriend

Stephanie Hodgkinson was stabbed eight times at her home

A vet has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend after she ended their relationship.

Mother-of-two Stephanie Hodgkinson, 34, was stabbed eight times at her flat in Rosemount Road, Bournemouth, on 12 May.

Alberto Fioletti, 31, of West Street, Fordingbridge, then stabbed himself and rang for an ambulance, telling the operator: "She didn't want to be with me any more."

He is due to be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court in January.

Alberto Fioletti was unable to come to terms with being rejected, the prosecutor said

Steven Perian KC, prosecuting, said Ms Hodgkinson made the "courageous decision" to end the seven-month relationship "because she was not prepared to be manipulated".

The defendant arrived at her home intent on reconciliation a week after she threw him out, the prosecutor said.

However, Fioletti's "profound inability to come to terms with her rejection culminated in his relentless, brutal assault", Mr Perian added.

Police sealed off Ms Hogkinson's flat in Rosemount Road after finding her body

The defendant stabbed Ms Hodgkinson repeatedly in the chest before turning the knife on himself, the prosecutor said.

He spent 12 days in hospital, telling a psychiatrist the fatal incident was the "worst anger" he had ever experienced, Mr Perian said.

Fioletti, who had previously been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Floral tributes were left outside the property

However, Mr Perian said: "This is an intimate partner killing, where the defendant could not handle rejection and humiliation.

"He had invested a lot of time, money and was emotionally invested in the relationship.

"He had previously been lonely and never wanted to be alone in his life."

Det Insp Mark Jenkins said: "I can only imagine the devastation his actions have caused to Stephanie's young children, her parents, family and friends who have suffered immeasurable loss."