March 26, (THEWILL) — A Nigerian national, Chukwuemeka Ahanonu, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal killing of a 56-year-old woman, Nila Patel, in Leicester.
Ahanonu, 24, was found guilty by a jury at the Leicester Crown Court on Monday and sentenced on Tuesday for the fatal attack, which occurred on June 24, 2025, along Infirmary Road.
According to Leicestershire Police, the incident followed a series of dangerous driving actions by the convict, who was under the influence of cannabis. He reportedly swerved across lanes, ran red lights, and drove towards pedestrians before crashing his vehicle in the city centre.
After the crash, Ahanonu fled the scene and attacked Patel, who had just alighted from a bus and was walking home. She sustained severe injuries, including a fractured skull and severe brain trauma, and died two days later.
Police investigations revealed that at the time of his arrest, Ahanonu had been smoking cannabis. Officers also recovered dealer bags of the substance valued at over £3,000, along with three iPhones from his vehicle. He had earlier pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and assaulting an emergency worker after biting a female police officer.
Security personnel from the nearby Leicester Royal Infirmary restrained the suspect until officers arrived, while medical staff made efforts to save the victim’s life. He was subsequently re-arrested on suspicion of murder on June 26, 2025.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Emma Matts, described the killing as “a horrific, violent and random attack” on an innocent woman, noting that the offender had no prior connection to the victim. She also commended members of the public and hospital staff for their swift intervention and assistance during the incident.
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