Aiah Tondoneh admits killing flats plunge girlfriend Donna Drepaul

Published: 8th April, 2011
by DAVID ST GEORGE

A PSYCHIATRIC nurse yesterday (Thursday) confessed to killing his girlfriend who died from multiple injuries after she plunged in flames from the 17th floor of her home in Finsbury Park.

The accused, Aiah Tondoneh, 43, described as an insanely jealous drunk, is due to be sentenced today (Friday) after admitting the murder of treasured staff nurse Donna Drepaul, 50, at the Old Bailey.

She was found barely alive at the bottom of the block of flats she lived at in Clifton Court, on Biggerstaff Street, in July last year. Ms Drepaul died two days later in hospital.

Softly spoken Tondoneh, of Shoot Up Hill in Cricklewood, appeared in court only briefly before Mr Justice Saunders for the killing on the July 4 last year. No facts surrounding the terrible death of Ms Drepaul, who worked at University College Hospital in Euston, were outlined by the prosecution; but they are soon to do so.

Guyana-born Ms Drepaul leaves a son, Sherman, 29, who is expected to be at court with other relatives when his ­mother’s killer is sentenced.

She was attacked and set on fire with petrol on the 17th floor of her home block and ­desperately tried to get help by banging on the doors of neighbours but they were too scared to answer at 4am and ­seconds later she plunged to the ground.

Although he admitted the full offence of murder, Tondoneh claims that he did not have the intent to kill. That issue will be decided later. 

Michelle Nelson, prosecuting, told the court: “We say that he did have the intention to kill her.”