The City hitman fired home his 13th goal of the season inside 90 seconds and the promotion hopefuls never looked back against their shell-shocked opponents.
Thorne was on hand to stab home Steve Jones' low cross in City's first attack and the experienced frontman headed home his second after the break to ensure Bradford would secure their second home win in five days.
Aldershot struggled to hold the Bantams early on and their luck was out in the 14th minute when City's man-of-the-match Dean Furman saw his deflected shot loop beyond keeper Nikki Bull and bounce into the net off the crossbar.
Town finally got into the game when striker Jake Robinson was sent clear by Marvin Morgan's header but City keeper Rhys Evans raced from his box and blocked his attempted lob with his chest.
But City were always on top after the break and when Thorne headed home Nicky Law's corner after 54 minutes, it was just a question of whether the home side would press on to boost their goal difference.
Thorne, who has now bagged 14 this season, was given a standing ovation when he was substituted with 20 minutes left but his replacement, Barry Conlon, also got in at the scoring act when he collected Law's neat pass and guided his 12-yard shot beyond the stranded Bull.
The Bantams piled forward looking for more goals but the fifth came in the cruellest of fashion for Town's centre-half Rhys Day.
City winger Joe Colbeck burst down the right flank in the final minute and when his low cross arrived in the six-yard box, Day could only stick out a leg and send the ball into his own net.
The Bantams have looked impressive in their last two home games but they now face tricky away matches against promotion rivals Rochdale and Exeter City.