A court has heard how a violent and controlling man, Shaine March, brutally killed his pregnant girlfriend, Alana Odysseos, after accusing her of infidelity and demanding that she have an abortion.
Ms Odysseos, 32, was in the early stages of pregnancy with her third child when she was stabbed 19 times at her home in Walthamstow, east London, on 22 July 2024.
Prosecutors at the Old Bailey told jurors that March, 47, had a history of abusive and controlling behaviour toward Ms Odysseos, whom he had been dating for about four months.
Shortly before her death, March had reportedly accused Ms Odysseos of cheating and claimed the unborn baby was not his. Neighbours recalled hearing the couple arguing, with a woman’s voice crying out, “I don’t want to kill my baby.”
At around 3 a.m., residents of Lynmouth Road found Ms Odysseos bleeding heavily outside her home, still wearing her nightie and dressing gown. Witnesses said she was clutching her side and shouting,
“Shaine stabbed me, he stabbed me. Help, help.”
Moments later, March was seen walking away from the scene. Despite desperate efforts by police and paramedics, Ms Odysseos died on the ground outside her home.
Prosecutor Louise Oakley told the court that Ms Odysseos had confided in friends and relatives about March’s controlling behaviour in the months leading up to her death.
She allegedly said that he monitored her constantly, demanded she answer his calls at all hours, and forbade her from speaking to other people. He had also reportedly smashed a glass in her face during an earlier violent episode.
Ms Oakley said:
“She admitted that she was scared of the defendant. There had plainly been physical violence. He destroyed her child’s toys, accused her of cheating, and told her to get an abortion.”
Despite warnings from family and friends, Ms Odysseos told her sister she still loved him and hoped he would change. Hours before the murder, she messaged her sister saying that March was “acting up.” Her sister replied, “You deserve better.” Ms Odysseos responded: “Can’t help who you love but he don’t love any of us.”
By dawn, March appeared at a nearby Creams Café, covered in blood. Staff called 999 after he reportedly said,
“I killed her I killed my wife and child.”
Police later arrested him, and he allegedly confessed on the spot, saying, “I did it. I killed her Alana Odysseos. I killed her, hahaha.”
While being transported to Barking Police Station, March allegedly added,
“I hope she isn’t dead… I hope the baby in her belly is still alive. But I did say to her, have the abortion.”
He later told prison officers he had “seen red” and stabbed her with a kitchen knife after an argument about his trainers.
March has admitted to manslaughter by diminished responsibility but denied murder, claiming he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time.
However, prosecutor Louise Oakley argued that evidence shows he murdered Ms Odysseos in a fit of anger, not because of diminished responsibility.
“She was vulnerable,” Oakley told the jury. “All she wanted was to be loved.”
The trial at the Old Bailey continues.
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