A "depraved" man who murdered a sleeping woman he knew and then committed a sexual offence against her body has been jailed for life. Ernestas Juska, 21, was on Friday sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years after pleading guilty to the murder of Nina Denisova at a family friend’s home in Dartford in August 2024.

In the early hours of the morning, Juska launched a frenzied knife attack on the defenceless 27-year-old as she slept. He later admitted to police that he had simply “decided to kill someone” that night, claiming he did not know why. After the killing, Juska walked calmly to a nearby bus stop and asked a member of the public to call the police, telling them he had just murdered someone. Will Bodiam, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a truly horrific and depraved crime.

Ernestas Juska carried out a brutal, sustained knife attack on Nina Denisova while she slept in what should have been the safety of a friend’s home, then committed a further sexual violation against her body.

“Working closely with Kent Police, the CPS built an overwhelming case that left Juska with no option but to plead guilty, ensuring he has now received the life sentence his actions demanded.

“Violence against women and girls remains a grave and widespread problem. The CPS is determined, alongside police and justice partners, to bring these perpetrators to justice and to drive down such abhorrent crimes.

“Nothing can ever repair the devastation caused to Nina’s family and loved ones, but we hope today’s sentence brings them some sense of justice. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and cared for Nina.”