William (Bill) Finlay was sentenced today, Thursday 25 January 2024, for the murder of Alyson Nelson in Whitehead in 2022.
The defendant was handed a life sentence last November, after pleading guilty to murder aggravated by domestic abuse.
Today, the 68-year-old, appearing before Belfast Crown Court, was told he will serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.
Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said: “Alyson Nelson, who was 64 years old, was attacked by William Finlay on Saturday 16 April 2022. She was stabbed multiple times, in her own home in the village of Whitehead. A place she should have been safe.
“Officers responded, along with other emergency service colleagues. Sadly, despite valiant efforts to save Ms Nelson, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Alyson was a much-loved mother, grandmother and sister. The entire family has suffered a huge loss, made all the more agonising by the cruel way in which her life was taken. Friends and local people, too, have lost a loved one.”
Detective Inspector Griffin continued: “William Finlay and Alyson had previously been in a relationship, which had ended over a year before the fatal stabbing took place. As a result, he is the first person in Northern Ireland to be convicted and sentenced for murder aggravated by domestic abuse under new legislation1.”
She added: “I know that Alyson’s loving family are heartbroken, and my thoughts, indeed the thoughts of our entire team, remain with them today.”
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For guidance:
1 Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021.
Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin , Police Service of Northern IrelandAlyson was a much-loved mother, grandmother and sister. The entire family has suffered a huge loss, made all the more agonising by the cruel way in which her life was taken. Friends and local people, too, have lost a loved one.
On Saturday the 16th of April 2022 our lives changed forever. Our beautiful mum Alyson was brutally murdered in her own home – the very place she should have felt most safe and secure.
That day she was stolen away from us forever.
There have, and will continue to be, so many family occasions that she should have been a big part of.
She’ll never again be able to celebrate the birthdays, the Christmases, the barbecues or any of the other family get-togethers that she used to love and look forward to so much.
Today is bittersweet. It may well be the conclusion of legal proceedings, and for that we are relieved.
But for us as a family, the pain and sorrow caused by the loss of our mum, sister, nanny and friend is immeasurable – and it will continue to be so in the weeks, months and even the years ahead.
She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
At this time, our family would like to thank the members of the public who first raised the alarm and began administering first aid, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Air Ambulance NI and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
We want to thank the serious crime detectives and family liaison officers that have been in regular contact with us over the course of their investigation and also during legal proceedings. We’re also appreciative of the Public Prosecution Service and their legal teams.
Finally, we would like to say a massive thank you to all our friends, family members, work colleagues and the wider community of Whitehead and beyond who have shown so much love and support to our family over the past 21 months.
We appreciate it more than we can articulate.
