Britain’s youngest female double murderer, Lorraine Thorpe, has been approved for transfer to an open jail after brutally killing her father and his friend in 2009. Thorpe, aged 15 at the time of the murders, was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison. She and her accomplice, Paul Clarke, 41, murdered Rosalyn Hunt, 41, following a disagreement over a dog.
Rosalyn, part of their social drinking group, endured severe torture at the hands of Thorpe and Clarke, including beatings, the use of a cheese grater, salt rubs, stomping, rib fractures, and whipping with dog chains. Subsequently, the duo conspired to silence Thorpe’s father, Desmond Thorpe, 43, from exposing them to the authorities, leading to his murder.
Clarke, who was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years, was found dead in his prison cell in 2014. Despite the Parole Board’s decision not to release Thorpe, now 31, she may be moved to an open prison. Thorpe gained notoriety as Britain’s youngest convicted female double murderer following their trial at Ipswich Crown Court.
The Parole Board emphasized the need for Thorpe to undergo testing in less restrictive prison conditions before any further consideration for release. The Board highlighted Thorpe’s progress and reduced risk of violence towards others due to her behavior while in custody. Another parole review for Thorpe is scheduled in two years.
During sentencing in 2010 at the Old Bailey, Mr. Justice Saunders, QC, described Thorpe as “stubborn and manipulative,” attributing her violent behavior to a troubled upbringing surrounded by alcoholism and violence. The judge noted Thorpe’s lack of understanding of right and wrong, finding violence amusing. The trial revealed the challenging circumstances of Thorpe’s life, marked by violence and manipulation.
Mary Bell, who was detained at age 11 in 1968 for the manslaughter of two young boys, remains the youngest female killer on record.
