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Michael Danaher jailed for murder of Tonbridge School's Adrian Greenwood after going to steal copy of the Wind in The Willows

A man stabbed a former Tonbridge School student to death in a brutal attack before taking a selfie outside the victim's home.

Michael Danaher, 50, murdered book dealer Adrian Greenwood at his Oxford Home in April after going to steal his 108-year-old, £50,000 first edition of the Wind In The Willows.

Academic Mr Greenwood, 42, was on a spreadsheet list of high-profile targets prepared by Danaher, which also included supermodel Kate Moss and author Jeffrey Archer.

Michael Danaher has been jailed for 34 years. Picture: Thames Valley Police
Michael Danaher has been jailed for 34 years. Picture: Thames Valley Police

Computer records showed he had been planning attacks for six months.

The month before the murder he had attempted to rob the London home of investor, Adrian Beecroft.

Danaher, of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, denied murder, claiming the frenzied knife attack which left his victim with 36 injuries was in fact an act of self defence, but was today convicted following a three-week trial at Oxford Crown Court.

Adrian Greenwood
Adrian Greenwood

Danaher only suffered minor scratches and even posed for the picture.

He claimed on the second day of the trial the document — saved as 'enterprise list' on his computer — had been compiled by an unknown man who he felt threatened by. He refused to name the individual.

The court heard he had purchased a stun gun in December 2015 and had plotted to use it in some of the planned attacks. He claimed it was to protect him from the unidentified man.

Danaher took a selfie outside Mr Greenwood's home. Picture: Thames Valley Police
Danaher took a selfie outside Mr Greenwood's home. Picture: Thames Valley Police

In the aftermath of the murder "cold, calculated and callous" Danaher drafted a letter to a potential victim warning them they faced the same fate as Mr Greenwood.

He then listed the copy of the Kenneth Grahame classic on eBay.

As well as the gun and the Excel list, the book, the murder weapon and other incriminating items were found at Danaher's flat.

Mr Greenwood's first edition copy of the Wind in The Willows listed on eBay. Picture: Thames Valley Police
Mr Greenwood's first edition copy of the Wind in The Willows listed on eBay. Picture: Thames Valley Police

After three hours of deliberation the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, with Danaher jailed for 34 years.

He had previously admitted one count of possessing the stun gun and was sentenced to seven years to run concurrently.

Det Supt Kevin Brown, Thames Valley Police's senior investigating officer together with Rebecca Waller, senior crown prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern, said: “We are very pleased that the jury have seen through Michael Danaher’s lies, self pity and arrogance and have convicted him of Adrian Greenwood’s murder.

The murder weapon. Picture: Thames Valley Police
The murder weapon. Picture: Thames Valley Police

“Adrian’s family have been living a nightmare since April 7. This case represents a tragedy for them and Adrian’s friends who have been devastated by his death.

"Today’s conviction and sentence won’t bring them any comfort, but I hope they are satisfied that the man who killed their loved-one has now been punished.

"I would like to pay tribute to them for their wholehearted support of the investigation and prosecution and the dignity they displayed while hearing the horrific details surrounding Adrian’s brutal murder.

"I would also like to thank the witnesses, who gave evidence in very difficult circumstances.

They added: “From as early as January 2016, Danaher was travelling from Peterborough to Oxford in order to recce Adrian’s property and gather information about him, such as his car registration and home telephone number.

“Danaher is clearly an extremely calculated, ruthless, and violent man. He has shown no remorse for this brutal murder; instead he tried to claim he was acting in self defence and that Adrian attacked him.

“He answered ‘no comment’ to the majority of questions during police interviews, but provided a prepared statement in which he professed to being 'shocked to hear of Mr Greenwood’s death.' However, he later admitted killing Adrian."

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