Adedapo Adegbola, 40, was given a life sentence by a Nottingham Crown Court for the murder of Steph Irons, a 23-year-old university student who was his ex-girlfriend.
Irish Reports said Thursday that Adegbola acknowledged killing Irons on October 21, 2025, at her home in Mapperley after their brief relationship ended.
The court was told that the couple had dated briefly before splitting up after meeting while working together.
After the breakup, Adegbola became obsessed with Irons, according to the prosecution, buying two knives online and taking a cab home.
After attacking her outside as she was taking out the garbage, he allegedly broke in and repeatedly stabbed her inside the house.
When Irons’ coworkers received upsetting messages from her phone, they got concerned, and the police looked into the matter.
When officers found her body in the living room, they declared her dead there.
Adegbola is accused of escaping after the murder, leaving bloodstained clothes and other evidence on the streets of Carlton and Mapperley.
He eventually turned himself up, according to Nottinghamshire Police, after passing through Mansfield, Worksop, Sheffield, and Hull.
Investigators were able to retrace his movements before and after the incident, despite his refusal to answer questions during interrogation.
Adegbola received a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in jail from the court.
Irons was a “kind and compassionate young woman” whose life ended in “terrifying circumstances,” according to lead investigator Detective Inspector Stuart Barson.
He went on to say that Adegbola chose to escape while destroying evidence, making no attempt to get her medical care.
Irons’ mother noted in a victim impact statement that her daughter’s passing had left the family “devastated.” She characterized the student as lovely, compassionate, and full of promise. The student had desired to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology.
