A MUM was stabbed to death by her younger lover after he was unable to accept the fact she ended their relationship, a court heard today.
Clair Ablewhite, 47, was killed at her cottage in Colston Bassett, Nottinghamshire, by John Jessop, 26, after breaking off their romance.
Clair Ablewhite, 47, was stabbed to death at her cottageCredit: Raymonds Press
John Jessop, 26, attacked the mum after she broke off their relationshipCredit: Raymonds Press
Mum-of-three Mrs Ablewhite began seeing Jessop following the breakdown of her marriage of 28 years.
But Nottingham Crown Court heard that when Mrs Ablewhite chose to “cool off” their relationship over concerns about the age difference, a “bewildered” Jessop couldn’t accept the decision.
He cycled 17 miles to her home – which she had only lived n a month – late at night and he launched a “persistent and brutal” attack on the night of February 25 last year
She suffered knife wounds to the neck and chest, and well as a series of blunt force and defensive injuries.
Factory worker Jessop left the £450,000 property without alerting the authorities, and cycled back to his flat in Newark, arriving in the early hours of the morning.
Mrs Ablewhite’s body was discovered by her 74-year-old father in the bloodstained home the following day.
Jessop, who met his lover on the Facebook Dating website in September 2021, was arrested 11 days after the killing following a manhunt.
The court heard that three days earlier, he had told friends while having drinks: “I’m on borrowed time. This could be my last night out.”
Jessop pleaded guilty to murder at a previous hearing and was sentenced on Wednesday.
He was jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years and eight months.
Jessop was identified as a suspect through CCTV provided by a neighbour of Ms Ablewhite, who ran a dog-walking business from her home in Hall Lane.
Officers said the victim had been using a dating website and had communicated with Jessop via social media and WhatsApp.
Detective Inspector Mel Crutchley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Throughout this investigation, Jessop has shown no remorse for what he did to Clair. He has consistently provided ‘no comment’ in interview and offered up no apology.
“The attack he inflicted on Clair was brutal and relentless, causing catastrophic injuries which finally led to her death.
“At the same time that Clair’s dad discovers his daughter’s body and tries to provide CPR – Jessop is enjoying his first pint in a pub in Newark with mates.
“He has taken away a loving, caring, and outgoing mum, daughter, sister, and friend to many.
“Today’s sentence will never bring back Clair, but it does mean that Jessop will spend a considerable part of his life behind prison bars, and I hope this gives her family some comfort.”
Jessop was arrested after an 11-day manhuntCredit: Raymonds Press
He cycled 17 miles from his home in Newark to Ms Ablewhite’s cottageCredit: Raymonds Press