Jessop had travelled 17 miles from his home address by bike to commit murder and then travelled 17 miles back home.
John Jessop pleaded guilty to the murder of Clair Ablewhite at Nottingham Crown Court on October 12 and was sentenced today (4 January) to 20 years in jail, of which he will have to serve at least 17 years and eight months.
Police had arrived at a house in Hall Lane in Colston Bassett on Saturday, 26 February 2022 to find the mum-of three dead in her pyjamas.
It was immediately ruled as murder as she had sustained serious stab wounds to the neck and chest.
Nottinghamshire Police’s DI Crutchley said: “This was a solid investigation with many officers working all hours to catch Clair’s killer.
“The CCTV work was integral and managed to catch Jessop’s route from Newark to Colston Bassett.
“The neighbour played a major part in helping with our investigation by providing that first CCTV image of the killer and I would like to thank him personally for travelling home from France to help us bring Clair’s killer to justice.
“It is also a timely reminder for people to think about who they interact with online and to ensure their safety is protected from violent and predatory people like Jessop.
“Throughout this investigation, Jessop has shown no remorse for what he did to Clair. He has consistently provided ‘no comment’ in interviews and offered up no apology.
“The attack he inflicted on Clair was brutal and relentless, causing catastrophic injuries which finally led to her death.
“At the same time that Clair’s dad discovers his daughter’s body and tries to provide CPR – Jessop is enjoying his first pint in a pub in Newark with mates.
“He has taken away a loving, caring, and outgoing mum, daughter, sister, and friend to many.
“Today’s sentence will never bring back Clair, but it does mean that Jessop will spend a considerable part of his life behind prison bars, and I hope this gives her family some comfort.”
• How police caught the killer of Rushcliffe mum Clair Ablewhite
