A man has admitted killing a university student 17 years his junior after she ended their ‘brief’ relationship.
Adedapo Adegbola, 40, stabbed aspiring psychologist Steph Irons, 23, described as ‘a bright young star’ by her heartbroken family, after turning up at her home in Mapperley, Notts on the evening of Tuesday 21 October last year.
Police said Adegbola, a former work colleague, was motivated after their brief relationship ended.
Adegbola then fled to a property in Mansfield, leaving a trail of evidence including blood-stained trainers and a jumper on the streets of Mapperley and Carlton.
He then travelled to Mansfield, Worksop, Sheffield and finally to Hull before returning to Nottingham the following day and handing himself in to police at Oxclose Police Station, where he was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Officers had been called to Miss Irons’ home by co-workers who raised the alarm after a series of ‘concerning messages’ were sent to them on the evening of the attack.
Emergency services discovered Miss Irons wounded in her living room.
She was pronounced dead at the scene a short while later.
Steph irons who was stabbed to death by former partner Adedapo Adegbola in Octover
Miss Irons’ family said she was ‘beautiful, loving and caring daughter’ who aspired to be psychologist
Adegbola refused to answer questions during interview, answering no comment.
But officers gathered CCTV footage, digital evidence, and witness accounts and tracked the movements of the defendant in the moments before, during and after the incident.
During a brief hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, Adegbola pleaded guilty to murder. He will be sentenced next month.
Judge Nirmal Shant KC told Adegbola faced a mandatory life sentence and it was just a question of ‘setting the minimum term’.
Members of Miss Irons’s family were in court to hear his guilty plea.
Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, lead investigator of the case, said afterwards:
‘This is a tragic case in which a caring and compassionate young woman was taken away in horrific circumstances.
‘Following the attack on Miss Irons, Adegbola made no attempt to call for an ambulance, and was concerned only with getting away from the scene and attempting to dispose of vital evidence.
‘Although he initially turned himself in, he went on to provide no comments to police interviews.
‘The evidence compiled against him, though, has left the defendant with no choice but to plead guilty today.
‘I want to thank Miss Irons’ family for the incredible strength that they have shown through this process.
‘I hope that this outcome assists Steph’s family in coming to terms with such a dreadful loss.’
Miss Iron’s family previously paid tribute to her in a statement. They said:
‘Steph had an infectious smile and laugh which lit up any room she walked into.
‘She was a beautiful, loving and caring daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend. She had a compassion for others and would always see good in everybody.
‘She had a huge heart and wore it on her sleeve.
‘Her ambition to be a psychologist was well on the way after gaining both a degree and masters in clinical psychology. After gaining experience, she was about to apply for her doctorate in clinical psychology.
‘Our bright young star has had her future taken away and while we can’t comprehend what has happened, she will be forever with us.’
