DESMOND FINNEGAN FROM BIRMINGHAM AND MOSELEY SENT BACK TO PRISON AFTER STALKING VICTIM

Desmond Finnegan, a 77-year-old man with a dark and violent past, has been returned to incarceration following a relentless and disturbing stalking campaign against a woman in Moseley. Finnegan’s criminal history is notorious, including a conviction for murder, which dates back to 1974 when he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend during a heated argument. Despite serving time for that heinous act, Finnegan’s pattern of violent and obsessive behavior has persisted into his later years.

The recent incident began when the victim encountered Finnegan by chance on a bus in Moseley. From that moment, her life took a terrifying turn. She initially tried to avoid him, but Finnegan’s increasingly aggressive demeanor made her fear for her safety. His behavior escalated to confrontations and the sending of threatening messages, which left her feeling vulnerable and terrified. In her desperate bid to protect herself, she took extreme precautions, including changing the locks on her home, wearing disguises to conceal her identity, and even hiding in bushes to evade him.

Despite her efforts to escape his relentless pursuit, Finnegan continued to stalk her, blaming her for his own lack of confidence and claiming he knew her whereabouts. The victim has described her ordeal as a source of constant fear, with sleepless nights and recurring flashbacks that haunt her daily life. Her testimony underscores the severity of the trauma inflicted by Finnegan’s obsessive behavior.

Finnegan’s history of violence extends beyond this recent case. He has a long-standing record of assaulting former partners and damaging property, illustrating a pattern of aggressive and manipulative conduct towards women. His arrest in March 2021 led to a conviction at Birmingham Crown Court for causing serious alarm and distress through stalking. He was sentenced to three years and six months in prison. However, because he was already serving a life sentence for his previous murder conviction and had been recalled to prison, he remains in custody and will not be eligible for release unless a parole board deems him safe.

In addition to his imprisonment, Finnegan was subject to an indefinite restraining order designed to prevent any contact with the victim. The court, presided over by Judge Samantha Crabb, was highly critical of Finnegan’s behavior. The judge condemned his infatuation and obsession, highlighting his apparent concern only for his own needs and his blatant disregard for the suffering he caused the victim. She pointed out that Finnegan’s manipulative and predatory lifestyle is indicative of a deeply ingrained negative attitude towards women, often resorting to intimidation and violence, including the tragic murder for which he was originally convicted.

The victim has expressed her ongoing fear and despair, revealing that she thinks about Finnegan every day and longs for an end to her nightmare. Her case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with a history of violence and obsession. The court’s findings emphasize Finnegan’s manipulative tendencies and his dangerous lifestyle, which continue to threaten the safety of women in the Birmingham and Moseley areas. His lawyer acknowledged that his repeated time in custody might influence his behavior, but also admitted that his conduct towards women has been profoundly inappropriate and dangerous.