Fordingbridge vet Alberto Fioletti found guilty of murdering Bournemouth mum-of-two Stephanie Hodgkinson

A Fordingbridge vet who stabbed to death a mum-of-two after she ended their relationship has been found guilty of her murder.

Alberto Fioletti (31) denied the charge but was found guilty today (Friday) after a four-week trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

The court heard that on 12th May this year, the defendant and 34-year-old Stephanie Hodgkinson, from Bournemouth, arranged to meet at the her home on Rosemount Road to discuss their relationship.

Fioletti was seen on CCTV heading toward the address a few minutes before 12pm

Seventeen minutes later, the ambulance service received an emergency call from the defendant stating “I killed my girlfriend” and the police were called. He also said he had injured himself.

Officers forced entry to the house, where Ms Hodgkinson was found dead having suffered a number of stab wounds.

Fioletti was also at the address, and he was helped by paramedics, arrested and taken to hospital for treatment to stomach wounds. He remained in hospital under arrest and police guard until 24th May.

When Fioletti was interviewed by detectives he admitted he was responsible for Stephanie’s death, and had become angry after Ms Hodgkinson had ended their seven-month relationship.

A post-mortem examination found that Stephanie died as a result of stab wounds to the chest.

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

But after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Dorset Police charged Fioletti with murdering Ms Hodgkinson.

Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of MCIT, said: “This was an incredibly sad incident where Stephanie, a young mother of two, lost her life during a brutal and violent attack by a man she had only known for a short time, but that she trusted.

“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.

“My thoughts and those of the whole investigation team remain with them at this extremely difficult time. My hope is that the outcome today brings some small comfort that justice has been served.”

Fioletti is due to be sentenced on 15th January next year.