New chilling video footage has emerged, revealing a murderer prowling the streets before launching a fatal home invasion. Direece Roche, 31, broke into the residence of 64-year-old Fintan McDwyer on June 30 last year by entering through an open window in the victim’s bedroom. Following this, Roche brutally stabbed McDwyer 77 times, who was alone at home as his son and girlfriend were attending a wedding event.

Roche confessed to authorities that his motive was to steal McDwyer’s dog, Sammy, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, which belonged to his grandmother, Fintan’s sister. Surveillance footage presented in court depicted Roche navigating through backyards and alleys in Fallowfield, Manchester, clad in dark attire, gloves, and a balaclava. After committing the heinous act, Roche fled by scaling over fences.

McDwyer’s remains were discovered on his bed two days later by his adult son upon returning home. Police discovered a small bloodstain on a fence Roche used for escape during a search of nearby properties. Forensic testing confirmed the blood belonged to Roche, and a flashlight with his DNA was also recovered.

In a previous incident in 2011, Roche, then 16, was convicted of murdering 23-year-old Adam Steele in Salford on New Year’s Day, resulting in a life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years. McDwyer became Roche’s victim about nine months after his release from this sentence. During the trial, Roche alleged that McDwyer, his great uncle, had sexually abused him as a child, a claim dismissed by the jury as Roche was found guilty of murder.

Roche, now 31, was recently handed a whole life order, ensuring he will never be eligible for parole. This places him among a select group of fewer than 100 prisoners in the UK serving this type of sentence. Addressing Roche during sentencing, Mr. Justice Bright discredited Roche’s claims, emphasizing McDwyer’s innocence and characterizing the murder as meticulously planned with no sign of remorse from the perpetrator.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Lee Shaw from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team acknowledged the team’s diligent efforts in linking Roche to McDwyer’s murder through crucial evidence, including vital CCTV footage. Shaw commended McDwyer’s family for their resilience throughout the trial and expressed hope that the sentencing brings them some solace and closure amidst the tragic circumstances.