"Stamped on her face" killer guilty of brutal murder of innocent passer-by

A cannabis user who brutally stamped on, kicked and punched an innocent passer-by to death in an unprovoked assault following a car crash has been convicted of her murder. Former university student Chukwuemeka Ahanonu, 24, had no connection to 56 year old mum Nila Patel, who passed away in hospital two days after sustaining catastrophic brain injuries. Ahanonu, from Dover Street, Leicester, rejected the murder charge but admitted manslaughter, arguing diminished responsibility. Following a month-long trial at Leicester Crown Court on Monday, jurors delivered a guilty verdict for murder. The deadly assault occurred after the accused walked away unscathed when his vehicle flipped near Leicester Royal Infirmary on June 24 last year. Prosecutor Mary Prior KC informed jurors that Ms Patel, who stood at 5ft 4in, was "viciously attacked" by Ahanonu, who was claiming universal credit whilst operating a "significant" drugs enterprise. Ms Prior told the court: "She (Ms Patel) had just got off the bus on her way home and was walking along the road, talking on the telephone to her dear friend. "She was pulled from behind by the defendant, punched in the face with such severity that she fell onto the pavement. She was then kicked and stamped on as she lay on the floor... stamped on her face." At the time of the fatal assault, which a medic at the scene described as causing "catastrophic" injuries, Ahanonu had shed his sliders and was wearing only socks. Hours following the killing, tests revealed Ahanonu had a THC level of 7.6mcg, exceeding the 2mcg threshold. THC is the compound produced by cannabis consumption. Contending that the defendant's actions stemmed from substantial cannabis use, Ms Prior informed the jury: "The voluntary consumption of a substance which causes you to act in a way that you would not act when sober is not a defence to murder because an intoxicated intent is still an intent." Ahanonu, who hails from Peckham in south-east London, had been released on licence from prison 12 months prior to the attack. He'd been freed from a two-year sentence in July 2024, after being caught with more than £1,000 in cash and a machete following a red light violation in September 2023. When the trial commenced, Ahanonu admitted to dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply class B drugs, and assaulting an emergency worker after biting a female officer during his arrest. He was cleared of common assault relating to a woman known to him following an incident allegedly occurring in London in the early hours of 24 June. Leicestershire Police made public video recordings of interviews with Ahanonu, during which he was presented with CCTV evidence of his dangerous driving and portions of the fatal assault. The force also released footage showing him being wrestled to the ground and hospital security personnel rushing towards the scene in an attempt to intervene. Throughout police questioning, the killer remarked regarding his actions behind the wheel: "I don't remember even doing this... I can't remember anything, do you understand?" He was additionally observed clutching his head after telling investigating officers: "Oh my lord - I don't remember killing anyone." Sentencing for the defendant is scheduled for Tuesday. In a statement issued by Ms Patel's children, Jaidan and Danika Patel, they described her as "a loving mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and the heart of our family". They added: "Mum still had so much life ahead of her. She should have had the chance to grow old, to enjoy retirement, to become a grandmother and to celebrate many more milestones with her family. "All of those moments have now been taken away from her, and from us." Detective Inspector Emma Matts, from Leicestershire Police, stated: "Ahanonu was unknown to Ms Patel. After crashing his vehicle, he ran from the scene violently attacking Ms Patel. "This was the most horrific, violent and random attack by a stranger on a kind, gentle and loving woman who was simply making her way home. "It is hard to imagine what Ms Patel went through in those moments. My thoughts continue to remain with her and with her family and friends who have suffered and continue to suffer the most horrendous distress and pain."