Murderer jailed for 34 years

Neighbours have spoken of their shock after Fletton man Michael Danaher (50) was found guilty of a brutal murder and told he would serve a minimum of 34 years in jail.

A former John Lewis worker from Peterborough who stabbed an Oxford historian to death over a rare copy of Wind in the Willows has started a life sentence.

Michael Danaher (50), killed Adrian Greenwood after going to the latter’s Oxford home in April to steal his £50,000 1908 first edition copy of the Kenneth Grahame classic.

This week a jury found Danaher, of Hadrian’s Court, Fletton guilty of murder. He was given a life sentence, to serve a minimum of 34 years in prison.

Following the sentencing, police said Danaher was ‘an extremely ruthless, and violent man.’

Oxford Crown Court heard how 25-stone Danaher stabbed Mr Greenwood – an Oxford educated historian who collected rare books – a number of times, leaving him with more than 30 injuries, including a broken arm.

He had also searched online for the homes of celebrities including TV presenters Eamonn Holmes and Michael Parkinson, footballer Rio Ferdinand and music mogul Simon Cowell. The murder weapon and bloodied boots were also found at Danaher’s flat in Hadrians Close.

Speaking after the court case concluded, residents living near the Fletton flat said they had been shocked to see the police tent erected outside when Danaher was arrested.

Neil Martyn said: “I had seen him about a bit - he was distinctive - but I didn’t really know anything about him. I didn’t even know his name.

“It is scary to think someone like that was living here, especially as there are a few kids living on the street.”

Another woman said :“I followed the case in the papers, and when I saw his face I did recognise him. I saw him a few times. He was always on his own.”

Danaher had denied murdering Mr Greenwood, claiming he had acted in self defence, saying he had come at him with a knife.

He also claimed the spreadsheet featuring high profile names was compiled by a mystery man who he was afraid of, yet refused to name in court.

But the jury was told the day after the murder, the rare book had been put up for sale for £50,000 on an internet auction site. Hours after the killing he also wrote a letter to another person he was trying to extort for money. In the letter he said the victim would suffer the same fate as Mr Greenwood if he did not comply.

He also took as el fie outside Mr Greenwood’ s home shortly after he had killed him.

Danaher also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm, namely a stun gun, and was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. This sentence is to run concurrently to the murder sentence.

Michael Danaher (top left), the ‘selfie’ he took outside his victim’s home (top right) and the murder weapon.