UK Court Jails Nigerian Man for Life Over Murder of Ex-Girlfriend, Student Steph Irons

Subheading:
Nottingham Crown Court sets 25-year minimum term after fatal attack at victim’s home following brief relationship.

A Nottingham Crown Court has sentenced a 40-year-old Nigerian man, Adedapo Adegbola, to life imprisonment for the murder of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old university student Steph Irons.

The court ordered that Adegbola serve a minimum of 25 years before he can be considered for parole for the killing, which took place at Irons’ home in Mapperley on October 21, 2025.

Prosecutors told the court that the pair met at work and dated briefly before separating. After the relationship ended, Adegbola became fixated on Irons, investigators said.

Planned Attack

Evidence presented in court showed that Adegbola bought two knives online and travelled by taxi to Irons’ address on the day of the attack.

He assaulted her outside her home as she took out the rubbish before forcing his way inside, where she was fatally stabbed.

Concern grew when Irons’ colleagues received alarming messages from her phone and alerted authorities. Police officers later found her unresponsive in the living room and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Attempt to Evade Capture

Nottinghamshire Police said Adegbola fled after the attack, discarding bloodstained clothing and other items in nearby areas including Mapperley and Carlton.

He travelled through several towns — Mansfield, Worksop, Sheffield and Hull — before eventually surrendering to the authorities.

Although he declined to answer questions during police interviews, detectives reconstructed his movements before and after the incident using available evidence.

Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, who led the investigation, described Irons as a “kind and compassionate young woman” whose life ended in “terrifying circumstances.”

He noted that Adegbola made no attempt to seek help for the victim and instead focused on escaping and destroying evidence.

Family’s Grief

In a victim impact statement, Irons’ mother said the loss of her daughter had left the family devastated.

She described the young student as caring and ambitious, with plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology.

The judge, in handing down the sentence, said the attack demonstrated planning and intent, warranting a life term with a substantial minimum period behind bars.