Man jailed for life for killing woman in Hammersmith

A man has been jailed for life for murdering Victoria Adams in Hammersmith earlier this year, following a Met Police investigation.

Apapale Adoum, 39, (12.02.1986), of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 26 August, to murdering 36-year-old Victoria.

On Thursday, 30 October, he appeared before the same court, where he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Denby, who led the investigation, said:

“I hope that Adoum’s admission of guilt and long sentence is a small reprieve for Victoria’s family and friends.

“It is a tragedy that she was killed by Adoum after offering him a place to stay, and showing him kindness during his time of need. Victoria deserved better.

“Adoum’s plea is testament to the officers, who worked incredibly hard to build the evidence against him, leaving no doubt he was responsible for Victoria’s death.”

A murder investigation was launched on Sunday, 9 February, after police were called to Coulter Road at 22:13hrs following reports that a man was attempting to force entry to one of the flats. Officers arrived and found Victoria’s body. She had died from a head injury.

Adoum was arrested at the scene, before being charged with two counts of possession of an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty to the offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 11 February, and was sentenced to 42 weeks’ imprisonment.

Following a determined Met investigation, in which careful forensic analysis linked Adoum to Victoria’s death, he was re-arrested on Thursday, 5 June, on suspicion of murder. He was charged on Friday, 6 June.