A KILLER scoured the internet for ‘notorious’ crimes the day before he left a bookseller for dead in his home, a court has heard.

Oxford Crown Court was told Michael Danaher researched Getting Away With Murder – Britain’s Most Notorious Unsolved Crimes during the afternoon before he allegedly murdered Adrian Greenwood.

The 50-year-old denies murdering the Christ Church College graduate, but claims he killed him in self-defence on April 6.

Taking the stand at the court yesterday, officer in the case Det Sgt Richard Earl confirmed police discovered Danaher hunted for ‘crimes uk’ and ‘rich singletons uk’ on his Samsung laptop on April 5.

Danaher, of Hadrians Court, Peterborough, tried to uncover information that same day about first edition copies of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows and Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit, both owned by Mr Greenwood, the court heard.

Bookseller Mr Greenwood had 22 items for sale on eBay at the time of his death, with 17 of those worth £2,000 or more, jurors were told.

Det Sgt Earl revealed items included wartime photographs of former prime minister Winston Churchill, a first illustrated edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a 16th century Bible, and the Grahame and Potter books.

The rare copy of The Wind in the Willows was the only item missing from Mr Greenwood’s home when police investigated the death, and was uncovered at Danaher’s flat, the officer added.

Jurors were told by the officer, who works with Thames Valley Police’s major crime unit, Danaher also scoured the internet for addresses of the rich and famous, saving their details in an ‘Enterprise’ folder on his laptop.

Presenter Eamonn Holmes, chat show host Michael Parkinson, ex-footballer Rio Ferdinand, entrepreneur Lord Alan Sugar, music mogul Simon Cowell and model Kate Moss all featured, he confirmed. Danaher also saved web links relating to Darren Ferguson, the son of ex-football manager Alex Ferguson, as well as singer Louise Redknapp and ex-footballer Gary Lineker, the court heard.

Jurors also were told the unemployed defendant purchased a stun gun for £33, believed to be from a Chinese company, which was also discovered disguised as an iPhone at his flat.

During the trial, the jury of eight men and four women were told Mr Greenwood’s name also featured on a list of high-profile people the prosecution allege Danaher was plotting to rob, kidnap or blackmail.

Prosecutor Oliver Saxby QC said the 'brutal' spreadsheet, discovered on Danaher's laptop and mobile called Enterprises, detailed valuables, weapons and family members of the defendant's intended victims.

Oxford Mail:

He said the alleged murder was sparked by Danaher’s interest in Mr Greenwood’s copy of The Wind in the Willows, which was worth about £50,000.

The prosecutor said ‘defenceless’ Mr Greenwood was left with 33 puncture and stab wounds, all believed to have been caused by the blade found at Danaher’s home.

The trial continues.