Prisoner who beat his fellow inmate to death found guilty of murder

DEFENDANT WAS ON REMAND FOR TRYING TO KILL ANOTHER MAN

- MARTIN NAYLOR

A KILLER who beat a fellow inmate to death inside HMP Nottingham has been found guilty of his murder.

After a nearly three-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, a jury took more than eight hours to unanimously find Andrew Thorpe guilty of murdering Jonathan Thornton.

He attacked his victim in the shower block of the jail while on remand for trying to kill another man in Edwalton.

After delivering the guilty verdict, the seven women and five men took just a few minutes to find the 38-year-old guilty of attempting to murder Declan Hales about a month earlier when he repeatedly stabbed him on his doorstep.

Speaking after the verdict was delivered, Mr Hales, who was hugged by his partner inside the courtroom and who has been supported by his family throughout the trial, said he “could not be happier” after hearing the forewoman of the jury return the verdicts.

Remanding Thorpe, of St Ann's, into custody and adjourning sentence until May 8, Judge Nirmal Shant KC, Honorary Recorder of Nottingham said: “Mr Thorpe, I know it is going to be a difficult task to wait for sentence, but it is only right to sentence you once the prosecution and defence have had time to think, so you and I will meet again on May 8.”