Prisoner jailed for life for beating fellow inmate to death in shower block

Metro

08-05-2025

A prisoner awaiting trial for attempted murder has been jailed for life after beating a fellow inmate to death in prison.
Andrew Thorpe brutally attacked Jonathon Thornton at HMP Nottingham last June 28 while on remand for stabbing another man weeks before.
Thornton suffered a catastrophic brain injury and he died in hospital two weeks later.
Nottingham crown court was told Thorpe, 38, launched the attack on Thornton because he made a racist remark about 'not liking black men'.
Thorpe denied both attempted murder and murder in relation to the separate attacks but was found guilty of both charges.
He had also previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class A drug after police found cocaine during the investigation.
Today he was given a life sentence and ordered to serve a minimum term of 35 years before he can be considered for parole.
At the time of his attack against Thornton, Thorpe was awaiting trial for trying to kill Declan Hales in Edwalton, Nottinghamshire, last May 29.
Hales invited Thorpe to his home to buy drugs, but instead Thorpe stabbed him multiple times while wearing a ski mask.
During sentencing, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said: 'You deliberately set up a fake drugs deal.
'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.
'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.'
Nottinghamshire Police said the attack against Hales 'could have resulted in a murder investigation' had it not been for the quick response of emergency services.
Detective Constable Emily Whiteside 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.
'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 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.'
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