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By John Ogunsemore
A 40-year-old Nigerian man, Adedapo Adegbola, has pleaded guilty to the murder of 23-year-old Stephanie Irons, a former work colleague with whom he had a brief romantic relationship, following a fatal stabbing at her home in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom last year.
Adegbola pleaded guilty to a single charge of murder at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, with sentencing scheduled for February 5, where Adegbola faces a mandatory life sentence.
The incident occurred on the evening of October 21, 2025, when Adegbola visited Irons’ residence on Westdale Lane West and stabbed her in the living room, motivated by the end of their short relationship.
The SUN UK reported that after the attack, he made no attempt to call for medical help, instead fleeing the scene and discarding blood-stained clothing items, including trainers and a jumper, on nearby streets in Mapperley and Carlton.
Adegbola then travelled to Mansfield, Worksop, Sheffield, and Hull before returning to Nottingham the next day and surrendering at Oxclose Police Station, where he was arrested on suspicion of murder.
BBC reports that during police interviews, he provided no comments, but evidence including CCTV footage, forensics, and witness accounts linked him to the crime.
Emergency services were alerted shortly after 10 p.m. on October 21 by Irons’ co-workers, who had received concerning messages from her that evening.
Paramedics found Irons wounded and pronounced her dead at the scene despite efforts to save her.
Irons, a psychology student who had earned a degree and master’s in clinical psychology and was preparing to apply for a doctorate, was described by her family as a “beautiful, loving and caring daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend” with an “infectious smile and laugh which lit up any room she walked into.”
In a statement, her family said: “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.”
Nottinghamshire Police called Irons a “caring and compassionate young woman” taken in “horrific circumstances.”
Detective Inspector Stuart Barson of Nottinghamshire Police stated: “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.”
He added that the evidence left Adegbola with no choice but to plead guilty and commended the family’s strength throughout the process.
Adegbola, a Nigerian citizen who moved to the UK in 2022, resided in Mansfield at the time of his arrest.
Judge Nirmal Shant KC noted during the hearing that the minimum term of Adegbola’s life sentence would be determined at the upcoming sentencing.
Family members of Irons were present in court, and victim impact statements are being prepared for the sentencing.
