A killer has received a life sentence after beating a fellow prisoner to death while awaiting trial for the attempted murder of a Nottinghamshire man.
Andrew Thorpe was remanded at HMP Nottingham after he was charged with repeatedly stabbing a 28-year-old in Edwalton in May 2024.
Weeks later, he savagely beat a fellow inmate in a prison shower block. The assault left Jonathon Thornton with a catastrophic brain injury and he later died in hospital.
Thorpe went on trial at Nottingham Crown Court after pleading not guilty to attempted murder and murder in relation to the separate attacks.
A jury heard he accepted responsibility for both incidents, but his guilty pleas to lesser charges – wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm and manslaughter – were not accepted by prosecutors.
Following a trial, he was found guilty of attempted murder and murder. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A after police found cocaine during the investigation.
Thorpe, 38, of Alfred Street North, St Ann’s, was today given a life sentence. A judge told him he must serve a minimum term of 35 years in prison before he can be considered for parole.
The trial heard the first incident took place at an address in Wheatcroft Drive, Edwalton, at around 12.40am on 29 May 2024.
Jurors heard the stabbing victim had invited Thorpe to his home so that he could buy drugs. But instead of concluding a deal, Thorpe stabbed his victim multiple times whilst wearing a ski mask to conceal his identity.
At today’s sentencing, Judge Nirmal Shant KC told Thorpe she was satisfied he had been “obsessed” with a woman and that he attacked the victim after “taking exception to the fact that he continued to have contact with her”.
The attack left the victim with numerous wounds, including to his back as he fled into a neighbouring address to seek help.
Thorpe fled the scene but was identified as the attacker by the victim, who spent weeks recovering in hospital. Detectives also recovered a bag near to Thorpe’s flat that linked him forensically to the attack.
After being arrested and charged with attempted murder, Thorpe was remanded into custody and attacked Mr Thornton in the showers in B Wing at HMP Nottingham. Mr Thornton was beaten by the defendant on June 28, a month after the Edwalton stabbing. He never regained consciousness and died two weeks later on July 12.
The court heard Thorpe launched the attack after confronting Mr Thornton about alleged racist remarks he had made behind bars.
The moment Andrew Thorpe was detained in prison after attacking a fellow inmate
Sentencing Thorpe, Judge Shant KC said:
“You deliberately set up a fake drugs deal with (the first victim). Having set up the trap, you armed yourself with a knife and put on a ski mask to hide yourself from detection.
“You took a taxi to his home and when he opened the door to you, you set about him with a knife.
“On the evidence, I am sure that had he not run into a neighbour’s house and picked up a knife himself, you would have killed him.”
The judge added:
“Whilst in custody, you took offence after being told Mr Thornton had made racist comments. You decided to teach him a lesson and to demonstrate to others that you were not someone to be messed with.”
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Emily Whiteside, who investigated the Edwalton incident, said:
“The nature of the Edwalton attack was horrendous with the victim being stabbed multiple times including to his back as he attempted to flee.
“If it was not for the quick actions of the emergency services and medical professionals, this could have resulted in a murder investigation.
“As it was, the victim thankfully survived but a murder inquiry was sadly necessary just a few weeks later after Thorpe beat a fellow prison inmate to death.
“This, too, was a horrendous attack and our thoughts are with Mr Thornton’s family as they continue to come to terms with his sudden loss.
“We are pleased Thorpe will now be locked up for many years. He is a very dangerous man and Nottinghamshire is a safer place with him behind bars.”
