A violent offender who brutally stabbed a man and then murdered a fellow inmate in prison has been jailed for life — with a minimum term of 35 years.
Andrew Thorpe, 38, of Alfred Street North, St Ann’s, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court today after being found guilty of attempted murder and murder in two separate attacks that shocked Nottinghamshire.
Jurors heard Thorpe admitted involvement in both attacks, but denied murder. His guilty pleas to lesser offences — manslaughter and GBH — were rejected by prosecutors.
The court was told that Thorpe attacked the Edwalton victim out of jealousy, believing he had ongoing contact with a woman Thorpe was “obsessed” with. He later launched the fatal prison assault after allegedly hearing Thornton had made racist remarks.
Sentencing him, Judge Nirmal Shant KC told Thorpe:
“You set a trap, armed with a knife and masked, and carried out a vicious and premeditated attack. In prison, you sought to send a message that you were not someone to be messed with.”
Thorpe had also previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, after cocaine was found during the investigation.
