🔴 Adedapo Adegbola, 40, in court charged with murder of student Stephanie Irons
Adedapo Adegbola, 40, appears at Nottingham Crown Court charged with murdering psychology student Stephanie Irons, 23, as investigation continues.
A 40-year-old man has appeared before Nottingham Crown Court charged with the murder of psychology student Stephanie Irons, 23, who was found dead at her home in Mapperley last week.
Adedapo Adegbola, of Woodborough Road, Nottingham, stood in the dock for a brief preliminary hearing on Monday 27 October, accused of one count of murder. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address as he was formally remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
Prosecutor Steven Gosnell told the court that a psychiatrist had been instructed to prepare a report on the defendant, which is expected to take between six and eight weeks. Judge Nirmal Shant KC formally ordered the psychiatric assessment and directed that it be completed within that timeframe, before scheduling the next hearing for 17 November, when Adegbola is due to appear via video link from custody.
Police were called to a property on Westdale Lane West in Mapperley shortly after 10pm on Tuesday 21 October following concerns for a woman’s welfare. Emergency services discovered the body of Ms Irons, who was known to the defendant, and a murder investigation was immediately launched.
A second suspect, a 40-year-old woman arrested two days later on suspicion of assisting an offender, has since been released on bail under strict conditions while inquiries continue.
Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, the senior investigating officer, said specially trained officers were continuing to provide support to the victim’s family and friends as detectives pursue all lines of inquiry.
Ms Irons was a postgraduate student at Nottingham Trent University, studying for a master’s in clinical psychology and preparing to apply for her doctorate. Her family described her as a dedicated academic whose ambition was to become a professional psychologist. In a formal tribute issued through Nottinghamshire Police, they said she had already achieved both an undergraduate and master’s degree in psychology and was “well on the way” to realising her goal.
They added that she would be remembered 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”.
Officers continue to appeal for anyone with relevant information to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 677 of 21 October, or to reach out anonymously through Crimestoppers.
The case was adjourned until 17 November, when Adegbola is next due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court by video link from prison.
