A homeless man who battered a woman to death with a mallet just days after she took him into her £1.3million flat has been pictured for the first time.
Apapale Adoum, 39, is facing a life sentence after he admitted murdering Victoria Adams, 36, at her home in Hammersmith, west London, on February 9.
Ms Adams was discovered face down in a bedroom with a black bin bag over her head, which was covered by a pillow, after police were called to a report of a man attempting to break in to the house on Coulter Road.
She had suffered at least 10 separate injuries to the back and side of the head from being struck with a blunt object – said to be a mallet which was found with her blood and DNA on it.
Adoum had met her just three days earlier on February 6 when he was living in a homeless shelter.
She had invited him to stay with her but later wrote a note to ask him to leave.
Adoum was arrested at the scene and initially charged with two counts of possession of an offensive weapon, which he was sentenced to 42 weeks in prison for after pleading guilty.
However, he was re-arrested on suspicion of murder on June 5 after detectives linked him to Ms Adams’s death.
Apapale Adoum (pictured for the first time) admitted killing Victoria Adams in Hammersmith
Victoria Adams, 37, was found dead at her £1.3million flat in Hammersmith, west London, in February
The attack took place at the victim’s home on Coulter Road (pictured) in Hammersmith, west London
The Old Bailey heard that the victim had suffered a brutal attack, sustaining at least 10 separate injuries to the back and side of her head after being repeatedly struck with a mallet (Pictured: forensic officers at the scene)
On Tuesday, Adoum appeared at the Old Bailey and pleaded guilty to murder. He was remanded in custody and now faces a life sentence.
Judge Nigel Lickley KC told the defendant: ‘The sentence for murder is a life sentence and that is what I will pass on 24 October.’
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Denby, who led the Met’s investigation, said today: ‘I hope that Adoum’s admission of guilt is a small reprieve for Victoria’s family and friends.
‘It is a tragedy that she was killed by Adoum after offering him a place to stay and showing him kindness during his time of need. Victoria deserved better.
‘Adoum’s plea is testament to the officers who worked incredibly hard to build the evidence against him, leaving no doubt he was responsible for Victoria’s death.’
