In a case that continues to haunt the British public, Lorraine Thorpe—once a schoolgirl from Ipswich—has been cleared to move to an open prison, marking a new chapter in the story of the UK’s youngest female double murderer. At just 15 years old, Thorpe committed two brutal murders in August 2009, crimes that would shock even the most seasoned detectives and leave lasting scars on the community.
According to BBC News, Thorpe's crimes were committed alongside Paul Clarke, a 41-year-old man she met through Ipswich's street drinking scene. The pair first targeted Rosalyn Hunt, a mother-of-two and fellow member of their social circle, subjecting her to days of horrific torture. Hunt was held captive in her flat on Victoria Street, where she was assaulted with a cheese grater, beaten with a fan and dog lead chains, and had salt rubbed into her wounds. The violence escalated until Hunt was ultimately beaten to death. Police only discovered her body after a concerned member of the public raised the alarm on August 9, 2009.
Just days later, the violence continued. Thorpe’s father, Desmond Thorpe, a vulnerable alcoholic, confronted his daughter and Clarke about Hunt’s murder and threatened to involve the authorities. Fearing exposure, the pair smothered him to death. In a chilling admission, Thorpe reportedly told officers, "You'll find my footprint on my dad," a statement corroborated by the forensic discovery of her trainer’s print on her father’s head, as reported by The Mirror.
The double murder quickly led to the arrest of both Thorpe and Clarke. Neither defendant gave evidence during their seven-week trial at Ipswich Crown Court in 2010, and both denied the charges. However, after more than 17 hours of jury deliberation, both were found guilty. Clarke received a minimum sentence of 27 years, while Thorpe was sentenced at the Old Bailey to a minimum of 14 years, making her Britain’s youngest convicted female double murderer.
Thorpe’s background is a stark portrait of deprivation and dysfunction. Raised in poverty, she lived with her father in a succession of squalid flats and sometimes even tents. According to testimony cited by BBC News, she was known to local authorities from an early age and had been immersed in the chaotic world of street drinking since she was 12. Her defense barrister, Graham Parkins KC, described her as having “led a chaotic lifestyle since she was 12.” Colin Adwent, a crime reporter who covered the case, remarked, "[Thorpe] was quite cunning and quite manipulative—but that's hardly surprising given her background and how she grew up. That goes nowhere near excusing what she ended up doing, but she probably didn't have that much of a chance."
Her co-defendant, Paul Clarke, was characterized as a violent bully with a history of drug addiction and a reputation for aggression. Clarke had previously been in a relationship with Hunt, the first victim, adding a further layer of complexity and tragedy to the case. The judge at sentencing, Mr Justice Saunders, described Thorpe as "stubborn and manipulative" and noted that she had "no real understanding of what is right and what is wrong." The judge also observed, "She finds violence funny and entertaining. No one who has heard the evidence in this case could doubt for a moment that she had immense difficulties in her life. To describe her upbringing as not being a proper upbringing would be an understatement. It has left her a violent young woman and a highly manipulative young woman as well."
After their convictions, both Thorpe and Clarke began serving their sentences in the British prison system. Thorpe was incarcerated at HMP Foston Hall, a closed category women’s prison, from 2019 onward. Clarke, meanwhile, died in his cell at HMP Whitemoor in 2014, just days before a documentary about the murders was set to air, according to The Mirror.
Thorpe completed her minimum prison term in August 2023, making her eligible for parole. However, she declined to engage with the Parole Board review in October 2023 and was denied release. A second review in February 2026 again refused her release, but this time the board determined she could be moved to an open prison—a significant step towards potential reintegration into society. The Parole Board cited her “general maturation,” the “fact that she had not evidenced violence or aggression for many years,” and a “reduced risk of violence towards others” due to her own actions in custody. In their decision, the board stated, “After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel agreed that Ms Thorpe should not be released.”
This move to an open prison is not a guarantee of freedom. Instead, it is a process designed to test whether an inmate can handle increased responsibility and less supervision. As explained by prison reform campaigner David Shipley to BBC Suffolk, “The most important thing about an open prison is it allows the authorities to test how prisoners respond to having more freedom. If someone is locked in a normal, closed prison with walls and bars and gates, exactly how sure can we be that they have changed and are trustworthy and safe?” Shipley added, “Mostly when people on life sentences get to open sentences, they are reliable because they've had to prove their progress over many years to get to that point. But sometimes people will arrive and behave very strangely and that's them saying, in a sub-conscious way, they don't feel ready to be released.”
Thorpe’s journey through the criminal justice system has been marked by repeated assessments of her risk to society. The Parole Board’s most recent decision suggests that, after years of incarceration and personal growth, she may be approaching a point where her readiness for eventual release can be more thoroughly evaluated. However, the panel made clear that she will remain under close scrutiny. She is eligible for another parole assessment in two years, and only after a successful period in an open prison will her release be seriously considered.
The case of Lorraine Thorpe is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of childhood neglect, addiction, and violence. While her crimes were undeniably horrific, her life story raises difficult questions about the interplay between environment, personal responsibility, and the capacity for change. As her situation continues to evolve, the public—and the criminal justice system—will be watching closely to see what comes next for Britain’s youngest female double murderer.