Former head of CID dies aged 83

Former Det Chief Supt Norman Finnerty, who was head of Lancashire CID in the 1980s, passed away peacefully in hospital.

The “copper’s copper” joined the county’s Constabulary in 1956 at a time when beat officers still carried whistles to summon assistance.

Within seven years he became a detective and one of the earliest cases he worked on was the infamous Moors Murders investigation where sadistic couple Ian Brady and Myra Hindley kidnapped and killed five children before hiding their bodies on the moors near Saddleworth.

In 1981 he turned on the public of the Fylde Coast when no-one came forward to help solve the case of a newborn baby girl found dead in a litter bin in Ansdell.

He accused them of not showing sufficient concern or interest to give information to police.

As Mr Finnerty rose through the ranks he began to head up investigations and was in charge of many notable inquiries including a triple murder in Christ Church Street, Preston in 1987 in which three men were all stabbed to death in their bedsits and then set on fire.

IHe hung up his warrant card after 35 years in the force and went on to train young detectives.

Away from policing he was a keen golfer and became a captain and then president of Penwortham Golf Club.

Secretary Val Hyles said: “Norman was a member here for more than 40 years.

“He was a very popular member and really enjoyable company.”

His funeral service will be held at Preston Crematorium on Monday at 11.15am. Instead of flowers, donations are requested to Age Concern Central Lancashire.

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