Man convicted of murdering friend before stealing her money
Thomas Turner stabbed Mandy Riley 11 times in the neck after she refused to give him money
A man has been convicted of murdering his friend, before stealing money from her in her own home.
The 64-year-old had been drinking and smoking with his friend Mandy Riley at her home address in Harriet Tubman House on 4 June 2025.
It's reported that Turner asked her for money, and lost his temper after being refused. He then stabbed 47-year-old Mandy Riley 11 times in the neck.
Turner then stole money from her handbag, using it to buy drugs and alcohol that night.
Turner washed his clothes at a friend's house on Duncan Road after the incident in an attempt to cover his tracks.
Riley’s body was discovered just after 10.30am on 5 June by another friend who had been due to take her to a medical appointment and had gone to check on her after getting no reply to phone calls. She had seen Turner present at the flat the previous evening.
Turner was arrested just before 5pm on 5 June on suspicion of murder.
Turner refused to leave his cell to be interviewed while in police custody, and remained silent when questioned.
Forensic tests showed Turner’s DNA was on the strap and outside of Ms Riley’s purse and a distinctive crack pipe belonging to Ms Riley was found at the Duncan Road address with Turner’s belongings.
Turner was charged with Ms Riley’s murder on 8 June 2025.
He denied the offence but was found guilty after a trial at Loughborough Crown Court on 2 April 2026.
He will be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on 21 April.
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Sanders, who led the 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.”