Key Points

• Life Sentence: Ernestas Juska received life imprisonment with a minimum of 26 years for murdering family friend Nina Denisova, 39, and for sexually penetrating her corpse, following a guilty plea.
• Drug-Influenced Attack: The killing took place after Juska consumed cocaine and alcohol during a party at his mother’s home in Dartford, Kent, in August 2024.
• Motivations: Reports suggest Juska was driven by anger after criticism from his mother about unemployment and a long-term fascination with violent pornography.
• Victim’s Background: Denisova, a Lithuanian immigrant, was described as hard-working, “happy,” and seeking a better life in the UK.
• Public Condemnation: Officials and the public described the crime as an act of “unimaginable depravity”, underscoring ongoing concerns about violence against women.

Overview of the Case

The brutal killing of Nina Denisova sent shockwaves throughout Dartford, Kent. On November 28, 2025, Maidstone Crown Court sentenced 21-year-old Ernestas Juska to life imprisonment, requiring him to serve at least 26 years before being eligible for parole.

The incident—carried out after a night of heavy substance use—has intensified discussion about drug abuse, violent content consumption, and the escalation of gender-based violence.

Background: A Volatile Night Fueled by Drugs and Anger

Juska, a Lithuanian national who moved to the UK at age eight, had been unemployed and living with his mother in Dartford.

On the night of August 17, 2024, he consumed a large amount of cocaine and alcohol, becoming ill and reportedly enraged after his mother criticized him for having no job.

Also present at the gathering was Nina Denisova, a 39-year-old Lithuanian family friend who was staying overnight after the party.

The Murder of Nina Denisova

In the early hours of the morning, Juska armed himself with a large kitchen knife and attacked Denisova as she slept in an upstairs bedroom.

The court heard that he inflicted multiple wounds before committing a sexual act on her body—an offense he later admitted to police.

After the attack, Juska walked to a nearby bus stop and calmly confessed to a passerby, saying: “I’ve just killed someone.”
Kent Police bodycam footage later captured him repeating, “I will confess,” while showing no visible emotion.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

• Guilty Plea: Juska pleaded guilty to murder and sexual penetration of a corpse on July 18, 2025.
• Sentencing Date: He was sentenced on November 28, 2025, at Maidstone Crown Court.
• Judge’s Remarks:
  Justice Dias highlighted the “extreme, unexpected, and undeserved horror” suffered by Denisova and warned that Juska is a grave risk to the public.
• CPS Response: Prosecutors emphasized their commitment to tackling violence against women, calling the murder a “senseless and brutal act.”

Some reports referenced an adjusted term of 24 years and 7 months due to time served, but official sentencing confirms a 26-year minimum term.

Victim Impact

Denisova’s brother, Aleksandras, delivered a powerful statement describing the family’s lasting grief:

• Her death left a “big hole” in their lives.
• The impact is “indescribable.”
• The family declared they could “never forgive” Juska for the attack.

Denisova had moved to the UK seeking better opportunities and was known to friends and family as hard-working, kind, and optimistic.

Public and Social Media Reaction

The case sparked widespread outrage online:

• Users described the case as “absolute horror.”
• Many highlighted the need for better mental health support, drug awareness, and stronger protections for women.
• True-crime accounts and local media widely shared police footage and updates.
• Officials condemned the killing as an act of “unimaginable depravity.”

The conversation also spurred debate about immigrant integration, violent pornography, and drug abuse among young adults.

Timeline of Events

Conclusion

The sentencing of Ernestas Juska closes one of Kent’s most disturbing recent murder cases. While justice has been delivered, the tragic loss of Nina Denisova continues to devastate her family and community.

The case stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of drug abuse, violent influences, and unchecked anger, while renewing national conversations about safeguarding women from violence.