UK Court Jails Nigerian Man For Killing Ex-Girlfriend After Guilty Plea
Adedapo Adegbola, a 40-year-old Nigerian resident in the United Kingdom, has admitted to killing his former British girlfriend, Steph Irons, after stabbing her at her home in Nottingham.
Adegbola entered a guilty plea at the Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, confirming that he and the victim had previously worked together before beginning a romantic relationship that later broke down.
Court proceedings revealed that on October 21, 2025, Adegbola went to Irons’ residence on Westdale Lane West in the Mapperley area, where he stabbed her. Investigators say the suspect has refused to explain what led to the attack.
Rather than seeking medical help, Adegbola fled the scene, leaving Irons lying in a pool of blood. He also discarded a blood-stained pair of trainers while attempting to evade detection.
Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, who led the investigation, said, “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.”
Neighbours were unable to determine exactly when the stabbing occurred, but Irons’ body was found in the living room of her apartment at about 10 p.m. Paramedics later confirmed her death.
Adegbola later presented himself at Oxclose Police Station but refused to answer questions during police interviews.
“Although he initially turned himself in, he went on to provide no comments to police interviews,” Barson said. “The evidence compiled against him, though, has left the defendant with no choice but to plead guilty today.”
Prosecutors relied on CCTV footage, blood evidence found on his footwear, witness accounts and digital records to build the case that led to his conviction.
Adegbola is scheduled to be sentenced on February 5.
Police disclosed that Steph Irons held both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical psychology and was preparing to apply for a doctorate programme.
Barson expressed sympathy to the victim’s family, saying, “I hope that this outcome assists Steph’s family in coming to terms with such a dreadful loss.”
