Torquay man who lived with body for three years jailed

A man who left his partner’s body in the living room of his flat for three years has been sentenced to 14 months in jail.

Jamie Stevens, 51, pleaded guilty to preventing a lawful burial between May 2022 and May 2025.

Stevens, of Reddenhill Road, Torquay, had found his partner Anouska Sites dead on the sofa in his flat in May 2022.

Exeter Crown Court was told on Monday how he covered her body with a blanket and never used the room again.

Ms Sites was reported missing in April this year and police found her at the flat in Upton Road – which Stevens had since moved out of – on 27 May.

Hollie Gilbery, prosecuting, said Stevens lied to police about when he last saw Ms Sites.

Ms Gilbery said he told officers she had died in January 2023.

Paul Dentith, defending, said Stevens was “devastated” by his partner’s death.

Det Insp Jeanne Hellyer said: “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.”

Judge Anna Richardson said it was an “absolutely tragic case”.

“You completely wrongly panicked and covered her body and left her there for years,” she added.

The judge said his remorse was genuine as he referred to Ms Sites as a “lovely person who deserved better”.

Stevens also plead guilty to committing a series of acts with intent to pervert the course of justice between April and May 2025.