Man found guilty of murdering 'friend' in her home

A man has been found guilty of murdering his "friend" in her home.

Thomas Turner had been drinking and smoking with Mandy Riley at a property on Ashe Place in Normanton on 4 June last year when he asked her for money, "lost his temper" and stabbed her 11 times, Derbyshire Police said.

The 64-year-old, of Uttoxeter New Road in Derby, was found guilty of murder following a trial at a crown court hearing held in Loughborough.

He is due to be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on 21 April.

After her death last year, Riley's family said she was "loved beyond words" and "missed beyond measure".

"She was always welcoming, opening her heart and home to others, and no matter how busy she was, she always made time for the people she cared about," they said.

"She loved her family and had a lot of good friends."

Following Turner being found guilty by a jury on Thursday, Det Sgt Laura Sanders, who led Derbyshire Police's investigation, said: "Mandy Riley was killed in the one place she should have felt safe, and by someone she trusted as a friend.

"Having murdered Mandy, Turner then stole from her before using the money to feed his drink and drug habit.

"He has repeatedly denied murdering her, but the jury has seen through his lies and Turner is now facing a lengthy spell behind bars, where he belongs."

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