A 40-year-old man has pleaded guilty to murdering a university graduate described by her family as “a bright young star” whose ambition to become a clinical psychologist was cut short.
Adedapo Adegbola admitted killing Steph Irons, 23, during a brief hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday. Members of Miss Irons’ family were present to hear the plea.
Judge Nirmal Shant KC told Adegbola he faced a mandatory life sentence and that sentencing next month would determine the minimum term he must serve.
Miss Irons was stabbed at her home in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, on the evening of Tuesday 21 October last year. Police said Adegbola, a former work colleague, attacked her after their brief relationship ended.
Officers were alerted to the scene by Miss Irons’ co-workers, who raised concerns after receiving a series of troubling messages from her on the night of the attack. Emergency services found her wounded in her living room, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
Following the killing, Adegbola fled the scene without calling for an ambulance. He left a trail of evidence including blood-stained trainers and a jumper on the streets of Mapperley and Carlton before travelling to Mansfield, Worksop, Sheffield and Hull.
He returned to Nottingham the following day and handed himself in at Oxclose Police Station, where he was arrested on suspicion of murder. Despite surrendering voluntarily, Adegbola refused to answer questions during interview.
Detectives compiled CCTV footage, digital evidence and witness accounts to track his movements before, during and after the incident.
Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, the lead investigator, said the evidence left Adegbola with no choice but to admit his guilt. He described the case as tragic and praised Miss Irons’ family for their strength throughout the process.
Miss Irons had completed both a degree and a master’s in clinical psychology and was preparing to apply for her doctorate. Her family said she had “a compassion for others and would always see good in everybody.”
In a statement, they added: “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.”
Adegbola will be sentenced next month.
