Olusegun ARIYO
Nottingham Crown Court has handed a life sentence to 40-year-old Adedapo Adegbola for the murder of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old university student Steph Irons.
According to the Irish Reports on Thursday, Adegbola admitted to killing Irons at her Mapperley residence on October 21, 2025, following the end of their brief relationship.
The court heard that the couple had met while working together and dated for a short period before separating.
Prosecutors revealed that Adegbola became fixated on Irons after the breakup, purchasing two knives online and travelling to her home by taxi.
He reportedly attacked her outside as she took out the trash, then forced his way into the house, stabbing her multiple times.
Irons’ colleagues became alarmed after receiving distressing messages from her phone, prompting police to investigate.
Officers discovered her body in the living room, where she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the murder, Adegbola allegedly fled, discarding bloodstained clothing and other evidence along streets in Mapperley and Carlton.
Nottinghamshire Police said he travelled through Mansfield, Worksop, Sheffield, and Hull before eventually surrendering.
Although he declined to answer questions during questioning, investigators were able to reconstruct his movements before and after the attack.
The court sentenced Adegbola to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 25 years.
Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, the lead investigator, described Irons as a “kind and compassionate young woman” whose life ended in “terrifying circumstances.”
He added that Adegbola made no effort to seek medical attention for her and instead chose to flee while disposing of evidence.
In a victim impact statement, Irons’ mother said her daughter’s death had left the family “devastated.” She described the student, who had aspired to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology, as loving, caring, and full of promise.
