Peterborough man accused of murder remanded in custody having been sent to court in wrong county

A 50-year-old Peterborough man has appeared in court charged with murdering a respected historian found stabbed to death in the hallway of his Oxford home.
Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016.  Picture by Terry Harris. THAPolice investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016.  Picture by Terry Harris. THA
Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016. Picture by Terry Harris. THA

Michael Danaher, of Hadrians Court, Peterborough, appeared at Banbury Magistrates# Court on Wednesday accused of killing 42-year-old Adrian Greenwood.

Clare Barclay, prosecuting, said Mr Greenwood was found with multiple stab wounds to his neck and chest together with other injuries at his address in Iffley Road, Oxford, on Thursday.

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She added the Oxford-educated academic, who also dealt in antiques and and collected Harry Potter books, was discovered in his hallway.

Adrian Greenwood who was found stabbed to death following a "vicious and sustained attack". Photo: PA POLICE_Greenwood_111350.JPGAdrian Greenwood who was found stabbed to death following a "vicious and sustained attack". Photo: PA POLICE_Greenwood_111350.JPG
Adrian Greenwood who was found stabbed to death following a "vicious and sustained attack". Photo: PA POLICE_Greenwood_111350.JPG

Addressing the court, Miss Barclay said: “This relates to the murder of Adrian Greenwood who was stabbed to death in the hallway of his home in Oxford on or around the April 6.

“Mr Greenwood had received multiple stabs wounds to the neck and chest and had other injuries.

“His body was discovered on the afternoon of April 7.”

There had been a lengthy delay getting Danaher in front of magistrates after he was taken to the wrong court by the prison transport contractor Geo Amey.

Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016.  Picture by Terry Harris. THAPolice investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016.  Picture by Terry Harris. THA
Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016. Picture by Terry Harris. THA
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Magistrates in Banbury, Oxfordshire, waited more than five hours to begin the hearing, after being told by court officials that he had been driven in error to High Wycombe Magistrates Court nearly 50 miles away in another county.

There was a further delay in getting a van to Buckinghamshire to then bring the defendant to the correct court, which is about an hour away by road.

When Danahar did appear, he was wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name, age and

address before being remanded in custody to appear at Oxford Crown Court on Friday for a preliminary hearing.

Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016.  Picture by Terry Harris. THAPolice investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016.  Picture by Terry Harris. THA
Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016. Picture by Terry Harris. THA
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Christopher Smith, chairman of the magistrates bench, told him: “Thismatter has to be sent to Oxford Crown Court for April 15.

“Until such time, you are remanded in custody.”

Danaher was arrested on Sunday and charged with murder on Tuesday, Thames Valley Police said.

A 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder on the day Mr Greenwood’s body was found was released without charge on Saturday.