Man crashed car before murdering stranger in Leicester, CCTV shows

Police have published video footage showing a drug dealer crashing his vehicle moments before fatally attacking a woman on the street, and later laughing during police questioning. The incident involved Chukwuemeka Ahanonu, who was videotaped on CCTV on 24 June of the previous year driving in Leicester. Shortly thereafter, his car overturned, and he proceeded to assault Nila Patel, a pedestrian and mother of two.

Ahanonu, aged 24 and originally from Peckham in south-east London, subjected 56-year-old Patel to a violent attack involving punching, kicking, and stamping with considerable force. Patel sustained severe brain injuries and passed away in hospital two days later. At Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday, Ahanonu was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years and six months after being found guilty of murder.

The court was informed that the assault followed shortly after Ahanonu’s car accident, which occurred near Leicester Royal Infirmary. Police released footage showing the vehicle flipping over en route to the location. Patel, who had been on her way home, suffered a fractured skull and brain injury during the attack. When arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, Ahanonu stated to detectives, “I don’t remember even doing this.” When asked why he was laughing, he replied, “If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry.”

During sentencing, Patel’s children, Jaidan and Danika, read victim impact statements expressing their grief. Jaidan said, “Nine months ago today you murdered our mother. The pain of losing her in this way is impossible to accept.” Danika added, “My mum was the most important person in my life. Losing her in such a violent and senseless way has shattered my world.” Judge Timothy Spencer KC described the murder as “shocking, brutal and merciless,” emphasizing that Ahanonu chose Patel due to her gender, build, height, and, as the judge was satisfied, her race. Defense counsel Paul Raudnitz KC conveyed that Ahanonu had no memory of the attack and was “shocked” upon viewing the footage, expressing his “sincere apologies” through his lawyer. Judge Spencer concluded by stating he believed Ahanonu remembered much more than he had admitted

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