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Man guilty of murdering Adrian Greenwood over The Wind in Willows book | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man has been found guilty of murdering a book dealer over a £50,000 first edition of The Wind in the Willows. | |
Michael Danaher, 51, stabbed Adrian Greenwood to death after drawing up a list of wealthy targets that also included Kate Moss and Jeffrey Archer. | Michael Danaher, 51, stabbed Adrian Greenwood to death after drawing up a list of wealthy targets that also included Kate Moss and Jeffrey Archer. |
The 42-year-old was found dead his Oxford home in April. He had been stabbed 16 times, the prosecution said. | The 42-year-old was found dead his Oxford home in April. He had been stabbed 16 times, the prosecution said. |
Danaher has been jailed for life with a minimum of 34 years. | Danaher has been jailed for life with a minimum of 34 years. |
He told the jury at Oxford Crown Court he had acted in self defence, but it took about two hours to find him unanimously guilty. | |
Passing sentence, Judge Ian Pringle said Danaher, from Peterborough, had become "obsessed" with famous people and had tortured his victim. | |
Prosecutor Oliver Saxby QC said his intention was "to get money" by going to the houses of wealthy people and robbing them. | Prosecutor Oliver Saxby QC said his intention was "to get money" by going to the houses of wealthy people and robbing them. |
A spreadsheet was found on Danaher's computer with the names of 14 "people of means" whom he intended to steal from or kidnap, the court was told. | A spreadsheet was found on Danaher's computer with the names of 14 "people of means" whom he intended to steal from or kidnap, the court was told. |
Other people on the list included venture capitalist Adrian Beecroft, TV pawnbroker Adam Hatfield, property developer Howard Grossman, and financial investor Guy Hands. | Other people on the list included venture capitalist Adrian Beecroft, TV pawnbroker Adam Hatfield, property developer Howard Grossman, and financial investor Guy Hands. |
Mr Saxby said the list was "considered in its own way, and efficient, and really quite brutal" and also had details of valuables, weapons and family members of his planned victims. | Mr Saxby said the list was "considered in its own way, and efficient, and really quite brutal" and also had details of valuables, weapons and family members of his planned victims. |
The weapon listed in many cases was a "stun gun", and one was found in Danaher's flat by police. | The weapon listed in many cases was a "stun gun", and one was found in Danaher's flat by police. |
Giving evidence during the trial, Danaher said an "unknown man" used his laptop to search for the addresses of high-profile people, including Gary Lineker and Louise Redknapp. | Giving evidence during the trial, Danaher said an "unknown man" used his laptop to search for the addresses of high-profile people, including Gary Lineker and Louise Redknapp. |
The court heard how he also stopped outside Mr Greenwood's house and took a selfie after the murder. | The court heard how he also stopped outside Mr Greenwood's house and took a selfie after the murder. |
Mr Saxby said: "It takes a certain sort of person to have done what the defendant did to Adrian Greenwood. | Mr Saxby said: "It takes a certain sort of person to have done what the defendant did to Adrian Greenwood. |
"Cool, calculated, controlled, before, during and after. And underpinning it all? Greed. It was money he was after." | "Cool, calculated, controlled, before, during and after. And underpinning it all? Greed. It was money he was after." |
The prosecutor said Danaher had earlier tried to enter Adrian Beecroft's house on 22 March, arriving with a parcel he said was for the venture capitalist's daughter. | The prosecutor said Danaher had earlier tried to enter Adrian Beecroft's house on 22 March, arriving with a parcel he said was for the venture capitalist's daughter. |
Judge Pringle said Danaher "drew up plans to rob, burgle or kidnap people to generate funds". | |
"You became obsessed with famous personalities and drew up a lengthy list of potential targets," he said. | |
"You left [Mr Greenwood] bleeding to death on his own hallway floor and even took a picture of yourself. You applied more torture than the knife stab wounds." |