Student accused of murdering sex worker in 'Dexter'-style kill room, court hears

Left · 1Benjamin William Day, 19, a forensics student, is on trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court accused of murdering sex worker Maria Saceanu at an Airbnb in Barncroft Road, Tividale, in the West Midlands. 1 Left · 1Prosecutor Rachel Brand KC told jurors that Day lured Ms Saceanu to the property, around 20 miles from his home in Worcestershire, as part of a detailed plan, and that he had prepared a 'kill room'. 1 Left · 1A Home Office pathologist found 78 wounds caused by knives, many inflicted after death. The pathologist's view was that she probably died from neck wounds damaging the carotid arteries or jugular veins, and that wounds to her hands were consistent with efforts to protect herself. 1

Left · 1The Crown says Day had made a phone 'shopping list' on 18 November 2025 that included knives, scissors, a mask, an apron, gloves, plastic sheeting, duct tape and a staple gun, and that all the items were found at the scene. 1 Left · 1Ms Brand said the case was that Ms Saceanu answered a text from Day shortly after 9.30pm on 20 December and reached the Airbnb about 50 minutes later. She said Day had been there since about 5.30pm and killed her very soon after she arrived. There was no evidence of sexual contact, jurors heard. 1 Left · 1The prosecution alleges Day tried to dismember the body but abandoned the attempt after cutting his left hand. It says he left at about 12.30am, disposed of a 'burner' phone and called 999 at 12.50am. He later told police a fox or dog had injured his hand, and he was arrested at hospital at 3.42am. 1

Left · 1The prosecution said his actions were those of a copycat of the US drama Dexter, citing the plastic-lined room, the khaki T-shirt, apron, visor and gloves, a canvas roll of knives, and microscope slides it described as a possible trophy. It also said his move to an applied biology and forensics course mirrored the lead character's profession. 1 Left · 1Day denies murder. The prosecution expects him to claim self-defence: that Ms Saceanu took fright at the staged room, attacked him with a knife and cut his hand, and that he disarmed her and stabbed her two or three times. It says he will say the room was set up to film a Dexter 'tribute' for TikTok, and that the defence does not dispute that his fascination with the programme played a part in his actions. 1 Left · 1The jury heard Day had no previous police record and had studied journalism for his first university year before switching course. The trial continues. 1