John Jessop's trip to see his former partner began in Newark, 18 miles away. After Clair Ablewhite, a mother-of-three, ended their brief fling, he set off on his bike to visit her at her Colston Bassett home. He went there because he was "bewildered", explained Peter Joyce, KC, mitigating. "He was troubled as to why?"
Her dogs were disturbed when he arrived unarmed. Jessop, who shut the dogs in a room, used a knife from her kitchen, and cut her throat.
After he was jailed for life on Wednesday at Nottingham Crown Court for her murder, police released the telling CCTV footage of his movements in the lead up to her tragic death - which secured his conviction and a minimum term of 17 years and eight months before parole.
Read more: Killer John Jessop cut throat of ex-lover Clair Ablewhite in Colston Bassett murder
Jessop can be seen turning as he was caught by car headlights, then later on his bicycle, and even stopping for a pasty on his way to her home when he got a bit peckish. His calmest was chilling. The revealing footage led to Jessop's downfall after he pleaded guilty in October to her murder.
Jessop, aged 26 and formerly, of Regal Lodge, Sherwood Avenue, in Newark, pleaded guilty to her murder at Nottingham Crown Court on October 12. Police had arrived at a house in Hall Lane in Colston Bassett on Saturday, February 26 last year, to find Clair dead in her pyjamas, after she had suffered stab wounds to the neck and chest.
READ NEXT:
- Pervert who recruited 'truly evil' Angela Allen could be free in spring
Psychiatric report to be prepared as man admits robbery and possession of table knife
- Thieving sisters banned from Tesco Express store after violent attack on manager
Rough sleeper sentenced after being caught with rusty razor blade
- Read more crime news
