Suffolk police officers are under investigation for gross misconduct after a Newmarket man admitted murdering his wife.

Olubunmi Abodunde admitted murdering his wife, Taiwo, in their family home in Exning Road, Newmarket, when he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court. 

It was revealed during the court hearing that police officers had previously been in contact with Taiwo.

The prosecution said Abodunde had a history of jealousy and that police had been on domestic violence callouts to the home, including the day before the murder.

On November 27 last year, the day before the killing, the police were called and Mrs Abodunde had an injury to her lip.

Abodunde was arrested and taken to Bury St Edmunds police station.

He was later released and given bail conditions ordering him not to return to the family home in Exning Road or contact his wife.

On the evening of November 27, Mrs Abodunde went to work in Cambridge and came back home the next morning.

The defendant then went to the home address following his release to pick up a telephone he had left behind and he was there when she arrived, the court heard.

An argument then broke out and just before the police turned up at 9.20am to take a statement from Mrs Abodunde in relation to the incident the night before, she was beaten to death, the court heard.

Officers did not enter until 9.55am when they were given permission by superiors.

The court heard while the officers were outside they heard a number of bangs, which the prosecution suggested were the defendant continuing to attack his wife when she was unconscious, if not dead.

A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct said: “We are independently investigating the recent contact that Suffolk Constabulary police officers had with Taiwo Abodunde prior to her death on November 28, 2023, in Newmarket, Suffolk.

“Our investigation began following a mandatory referral from Suffolk Constabulary that month and is looking at previous police contact, including the actions and decision making of the officers involved.

“We have established that officers came into contact with Taiwo Abodunde on November 27 before she was tragically found dead at her address the next day by officers.”

The spokesperson added: “In April 2024, we advised two Suffolk officers that they are under investigation for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour at the level of gross misconduct.

“We advised another officer that they are under investigation at the level of misconduct. This does not mean disciplinary proceedings will necessarily follow. Our investigation remains ongoing.”