Murderer who had former Cobblers chairman David Cardoza and property developer Howard Grossman on list of targets jailed for 34 years

Michael Danaher, aged 50, of Hadrians Court, Peterborough, has been sentenced to 34 years in jail after he was convicted of murder.

Michael Danaher, aged 50, of Hadrian’s Court, Peterborough, was today (Monday) unanimously convicted by a jury of the murder of book dealer Adrian Greenwood.

The court heard Danaher stabbed Mr Greenwood to death in his Oxford home and stole a rare first edition of Wind in the Willows from his flat, thought to be worth £50,000.

Evidence shown to the jury during the trial included an ‘enterprise list’ of potential targets created by Danahar on his computer.

Howard Grossman and David Cardoza's name appeared on list of 'targets' identified by murderer Michael Danaher

The list included reasons why Danaher wished to target the person, how he might do it and what he may be able to steal from his victims.

Next to Mr Cardoza and Mr Grossman’s names, Danaher described them as “swindlers”.

The list appears to suggest a possible kidnap of Mr Grossman’s daughter and then demand a ransom. For Mr Cardoza, Danaher suggested using a stun gun on him.

It was also reported that former Northanmptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds was on the list of potential targets.

Danaher, who pleaded guilty to one count of possession a firearm, namely a stun gun, has been sentenced to 34 years in jail.

Following Danaher’s conviction and sentence, Senior Investigating Officer, Det Supt Kevin Brown together with Senior Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Rebecca Waller said: “During the course of the investigation, Danaher’s laptop was examined and it revealed that, over the previous six months, he had undertaken research into wealthy people on the internet and drawn up a spreadsheet of names and addresses. On the second day of the trial, Danaher claimed that an unknown man comprised this ‘enterprise list’.

“The list included individuals such as Jeffrey Archer and Kate Moss and detailed how he intended to get money from them, either by arriving on the pretext of delivering something or using a stun gun, in order to steal, rob or kidnap. He had purchased a stun gun in December 2015, via the internet to facilitate these offences.”