Man left ex girlfriend's body on sofa for years in Torquay hoarder home of horror

A man who found his former partner dead on his sofa concealed her body with a blanket and left her there undetected for years, a court was told.

Jamie Stevens, 51, continued residing in the flat whilst the remains of Anouska Sites lay in the sitting room of the Torquay, Devon property. Exeter Crown Court was informed that Ms Sites was last spotted in May 2022, with her remains not found until May 2025.

Hollie Gilbery, prosecuting, informed the court that Ms Sites was reported as missing to police in April 2023. "Inquiries confirmed she had last been seen by police in May the previous year," she said.

"Unfortunately, due to her vulnerabilities, including mental health problems and addictions, she had been in fairly regular contact with the police."

Ms Gilbery stated that contact was established with Stevens as Ms Sites' former partner in April this year, making enquiries regarding her location.

"He told the police he had no contact with Ms Sites since February or March 2022," she said.

On May 27, police spoke with Stevens once more and he informed them he was no longer residing at the Upton Road flat, prompting officers to visit and gain access.

"The officers who attended described the flat as being like that of a hoarder with rubbish, faeces and bottled urine scattered throughout the property," Ms Gilbery said.

"Police started to search the flat, and upon lifting a blanket in the living area they discovered a skeletal arm and hand.

"Officers did notice there were various fragranced items scattered around the lounge, inferring they must have been to mask any smells."

Stevens, who had been in a relationship with Ms Sites between 2011 and 2014, was subsequently arrested and informed police it was her body.

"He explained she had come to his flat around January 2023 asking if she could stay the night," the prosecutor stated.

"He went to his own bed and left her sleeping in the living room. The next day he had gone out, returning at about 11.30pm, assuming that Ms Sites would have left, but instead he found her on the sofa.

"He explained he threw a blanket over her body and continued to live in his bedroom and never really returned to the lounge."

Stevens, of Reddenhill Road, Torquay, had previously admitted guilt to charges of preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice.

The second charge concerned Stevens providing false information to police in a witness statement regarding his knowledge of Ms Sites's whereabouts.

Paul Dentith, defending, characterised Stevens's actions in failing to report Ms Sites's death as a "passive failure".

"Until he signs the statement saying he hasn't seen Ms Sites for a number of years," he said.

"That is the perverting the course of justice, which moves it to more than just passive non-reporting. Perhaps obvious, but when one fails to report something so serious in the first day or so, it becomes rather self-perpetuating.

"The fear of reporting it... even a week or so later."

Mr Dentith relayed Stevens' words: "Ms Sites was a lovely person, my partner, my friend, and I was devastated when she died, and I miss her terribly. She deserved better."

Sentencing Stevens to 14 months, Judge Anna Richardson commented: "This is an absolutely tragic case.

"You were in a relationship with Anouska Sites. Ms Sites had a number of difficulties, including substance misuse.

"It seems at some time between mid-2022 and April 2023 Miss Sites went missing. She was not reported missing until April this year.

"There is no reason on the basis of the post-mortem to doubt your account of having found Miss Sites dead in your address. It seems you completely wrongly panicked and simply covered her body. You left her there for years."

Ms Site's death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be submitted to the coroner in due course.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Jeanne Hellyer stated: "I welcome the sentence handed down by the court today in what is a very sad and tragic case.

"Anouska was denied the dignity and right of a lawful burial on her death by Stevens. My thoughts remain with Anouska's family and friends, who can now lay her to rest."