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Murderer snaps chilling selfie after stealing $80,000 book

Moments after murdering and robbing an Oxford historian, a UK man captured a quick selfie before posting the stolen goods on eBay.

Michael Danaher, 50, was convicted of murdering Adrian Greenwood before making off with his first edition copy of The Wind in the Willows worth more than $80,000 AU.

Prosecutor Oliver Saxby QC told the court that Danahar concocted a “make-believe tale” to justify his brutal actions to his 15-year-old son.

Michael Danahar captured this chilling selfie moments after brutally stabbing an Oxford historian to death. Photo: Thames Valley Police.
Michael Danahar captured this chilling selfie moments after brutally stabbing an Oxford historian to death. Photo: Thames Valley Police.
Danahar then tried to sell the stolen book on eBay.
Danahar then tried to sell the stolen book on eBay.

“His dad made up some story about being attacked in Southend by two men half his age… What he said to his son was that he had been the victim of a theft, while also the victim of some kind of assault.”

The court was told that Danahar inflicted wounds to Mr Greenwood’s neck, chest and back, before breaking his arm by stamping on it.

After hearing that Mr Greenwood was stabbed 33 times in the horrifying attack, the jury took just three-hours to deliberate Danahar’s fate. He was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 34-years behind bars.

Danahar told the Oxford Crown Court that he had acted in self-defence after Mr Greenwood lunged at him with a knife, however much like the novel he stole, the prosecutor slammed his story as “utter fiction.”

His 15-year-old son told police that his father told him there was a knife hanging out of his cheek but he managed to get it out to fend off the other attackers.

“His back was hurting, his ribs were hurting, his chest was hurting. He had dried blood and there was a scab on his cheek,” the son said.

Prosecutor Saxby told the court that the 42-year-old historian fought for his life after Danahar broke into his four-storey home in Iffley Road.

The blade used in the attack broke away from the handle, but was still covered in blood when police found it. Photo: Thames Valley Police
The blade used in the attack broke away from the handle, but was still covered in blood when police found it. Photo: Thames Valley Police
The first edition novel is worth more than $80,000(au) and was easily identifiable when posted on eBay. Photo: Thames Valley Police
The first edition novel is worth more than $80,000(au) and was easily identifiable when posted on eBay. Photo: Thames Valley Police

In addition to the rare book, Danahar reportedly stole Mr Greenwood’s mobile, wallet, laptop, camcorder and Nikon camera during the April attack.

“He got irate and said ‘you obese tosser’. He would not let me get my bag and pushed me I fell down the hallway,” Danahar said in defence of his actions.

“I was shocked and angry, I wanted to make him pay for attacking me so I took some of his belongings,”

“I put the book in my bag and also a camera. I was just angry with him.”

After succumbing to an investment scam, Danahar planned to exploit and rob high profile individuals including Kate Moss and author Jeffrey Archer.

Police also located a stun gun disguised as an i Phone at Danahar's home, which he said was for self-defence. Photo: Thames Valley Police
Police also located a stun gun disguised as an i Phone at Danahar's home, which he said was for self-defence. Photo: Thames Valley Police

Judge Ian Pringle QC also said that Danahar became almost obsessive about keeping up on famous celebrities.

"Despite the fact that at 50 you had no previous convictions, warnings or cautions of any sort, it's clear that during the course of 2015 you drew up this list - probably to rob or burgle people - or perhaps kidnap people and hold them to ransom, so as to gain funds for yourself," Judge Pringle said.

"You inflicted upon Adrian Greenwood torture by way of the stab wounds, the knife-tip stab wounds, that he had on him."