John Jessop jailed for murder of ex and mother of three Clair Ablewhite in Nottinghamshire | UK News
A man who stabbed to death a mother-of-three at her home less than a week after their relationship ended has been jailed for life.
John Jessop, 26, cycled 17 miles from his home in Newark, Nottinghamshire, to the home of Clair Ablewhite, 47, and attacked her this past February.
He was caught by CCTV before Ms Ablewhite was killed in the village of Colston Bassett.
Jessop pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing and was sentenced today at Nottingham Crown Court.
He will serve a minimum of 17 years and 8 months.
Jessop attacked Ms Ablewhite on February 25, punching her repeatedly before stabbing her in the neck and chest before cycling home.
Her body was discovered by her father after a friend expressed concern about her welfare, Nottinghamshire Police said after the hearing.
Ablewhite’s neighbors provided CCTV footage that allowed Jessop to be identified as a suspect.
Detective Inspector Mel Crutchley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “One of the directions of my investigation was to task officers with collecting witness statements from Clair’s family and friends.
“This allowed the team to understand the relationships she had, any known issues that might have contributed to her death, and her known movements prior to her murder. “
Police said Ms Ablewhite used a dating website and contacted Jessop via social media and WhatsApp.
‘A timely reminder for people to think about the people they interact with online’
Det Insp Crutchley said that Jessop was “identified as acquainted with Clair via social media and had a cordial relationship with her from September 2021 and ending February 19, 2022.
“Communication was cut off mainly due to concerns about the age difference, and apparently he went to her Colston Bassett address during the six weeks she resided there.
“The neighbor played an important role in helping our investigation by providing the first CCTV image of the killer and I would like to thank him personally for returning from France. home to help us bring Clair’s killer to justice.
“It’s also a timely reminder for people to think about the people they interact with online and to make sure their safety is protected from violent and predatory people like Jessop.”
‘Remorseless’
He added: “Throughout this investigation, Jessop has shown no remorse for what he did to Clair. He has repeatedly given ‘no comment’ during the interview and has not been released for comment. any apologies.
“The attack he inflicted on Clair was brutal and relentless, inflicting catastrophic injuries and ultimately leading to her death.
“At the same time Clair’s father discovered his daughter’s body and tried CPR – Jessop was enjoying his first glass of wine in a Newark pub with friends.
“He took away from many people a loving, caring and outgoing mother, daughter, sister and friend.
“Today’s sentencing will never bring Clair back, but it does mean that Jessop will spend a significant part of her life behind bars, and I hope this brings some solace to her. her family.”