A young woman whose life was taken in a “heinous and violent” attack has been remembered.
Steph Irons was fatally assaulted at her address on the evening of Tuesday 21 October.
Steph’s parents have shared touching words after her killer was locked up for life with a minimum of 25 years, today:
“We have lost our beautiful daughter and shining light. Nothing will ever take away the pain that has been caused by this senseless act.
“Steph was the kindest, sweetest person anyone could meet, and our lives will never be the same. She touched so many lives with her personality and kind soul.
“While justice will be done, time will never heal our loss. Our family and friends’ lives have changed forever. Not a day will go by where we will not remember Steph, all the good she brought to the world and a huge hole has been left in our lives.
“We would like to say thank you to the police. We won’t name individual officers but on a personal level they will know. Their tireless work, investigation and support has been second to none.”
The alarm was raised by Miss Irons’ co-workers after a series of concerning messages were sent to them from her mobile phone that night.
Emergency services were then called to Westdale Lane West, Mapperley, at 10.07 pm where they discovered the 23-year-old in her living room with fatal knife wounds.
© westbridgfordwire.com
She was pronounced dead just after 11 pm despite the best efforts of paramedics.
A post-mortem investigation later revealed that she died after sustaining a knife wound to her neck. Defensive wounds were also found on her arms.
Adedapo Adegbola, her former work colleague, took her life after their brief relationship ended.
© westbridgfordwire.com
After the knife assault, Adegbola fled to his property in Mansfield, leaving a trail of discarded evidence including his blood-stained trainers and a jumper, as well as Miss Irons’ house keys and mobile phone, on the streets of Mapperley and Carlton.
The 40-year-old remained at the address until around 4.30am the next day (22 October), when he ordered a taxi to Worksop.
From here, he travelled in another taxi to Sheffield, and finally to Hull.
Just before 9am that morning (22 October), he returned to Nottingham and handed himself in at Oxclose Lane Police Station, where he was arrested on suspicion of murder.
He went on to provide no comment to questions posed by detectives in subsequent police interviews.
Despite this, investigators gathered crucial evidence to charge Adegbola with the murder of Steph Irons that Friday (24 October).
He then pleaded guilty to murder when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday 26 January.
Passing sentence, Judge Shant KC said:
“What you did that day was take the life of a young girl who was compassionate and the devastation you have caused to her mother, step-father, friends and others is profound.
“She was in the prime of her life and your actions took away her future.”
Adegbola, formerly of Woodborough Road, Mapperley, has today (Thursday 5 February) been given life imprisonment with a minimum of 25 years.
Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, lead investigator of the case, said:
“This is a truly shocking and tragic case where a young woman who had her whole future ahead of her has had her life cut short far too soon.
“Our focus from the very start of this investigation has been to get justice for Steph, her family and friends, and that has been reflected through the results today.
“Miss Irons’ family have shown incredible strength and bravery throughout the whole process, and I would personally like to thank them for their assistance throughout this legal ordeal.
“As shown through this process, Steph had a circle of friends and colleagues who thought the absolute world of her, and this is a testament to who she was – a kind and caring professional who would do anything for anybody.
“I particularly want to acknowledge the emergency service colleagues who were faced with a simply harrowing scene when they first arrived at the property. They acted immediately and professionally to do everything possible to help.
“My thanks also go to all of the investigation team who worked tirelessly to gather undeniable evidence that gave the defendant nowhere to hide.
“Finally, I would like to highlight the work of our specially trained family liaison officers. They have closely supported the family through this difficult time.
“Adegbola committed a heinous and violent act, and I am pleased he will now spend a very considerable amount of time behind bars.
“Today’s sentence will not bring Steph back, but I hope it gives her family some comfort.”
