Every third day, in our #EveryThreeDays campaign, I write about a woman killed by a man. Previously this month, I have written about Sohbia Khan, Chrissie Azzopardi, Jacqueline Barratt, Anne Dunkley, Jo Cox MP, Christine Chambers, Nadia Khan and just three days ago the double murder of Debbie Langmead and her friend, Donna St John.
Today, we remember Esther Arogundade, 32, who was killed by her former partner Shola Adebiyi in Esther’s own home.
Esther was a church-going Christian who gave birth to her daughter in 2010; the father was Shola Adebiyi, a Muslim. Both wanted their daughter to be brought up in their own faith, and there were constant rows about this point.
Eventually, the two split up, and Esther started a new relationship, but Adebiyi then started to harass Esther and her new partner.
On June 26th 2010, almost eleven years to this very day, Adebiyi cleared out his locker at work, leaving with a large kitchen knife and waited for Esther and their daughter to come home.
In the subsequent attack, Esther was stabbed thirteen times – shortly afterwards, Adebiyi tried to kill himself by drinking oven cleaner.
Charged with murder Adebiyi was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for a minimum of 20-and-a-half years after admitting to killing Esther with the judge saying:
‘Your relationship had come to an end [with Adebiyi] with frequent disagreements and rows between the two of you. She formed a relationship with another man. You resented it, and tried to warn him off with threats. She let you know that she no longer wanted to be with you and wanted to pursue a relationship with another man. You were most upset at that prospect. She sought friendship elsewhere, including in an affair with another man.
You were understandably upset but let me be clear about this. Many men and women have to endure the discovery that the husband, wife or partner is no longer content with the relationship they have. Many are jealous or unhappy. But what the law cannot and will not permit is the use of violence, which is what you used.”
Esther’s death is so typical of the abuse against women by men.
Nineteen murders out of twenty murders are committed by men the woman knows.
Esther Arogundade
#EveryThreeDays
Authored by Steph @PlaceSteph
LINKS:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2246542/Devout-Christian-murdered-Muslim-ex-boyfriend-row-converting-daughter-Islam.html
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/family-pay-tribute-after-esther-690821
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/jailed-for-life-man-who-knifed-698798
