Threats against Donaldson have been reported to police

By Jonathan McCambridge (PA)

The conviction of a man for the murder of his former partner in Co Antrim is the first in Northern Ireland to be aggravated by domestic abuse.

William Finlay was sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to the murder of Alyson Nelson.

It comes following the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 which became law in February 2022.

Speaking outside Belfast Crown Court on Thursday Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said Ms Nelson was stabbed multiple times in her own home in the village of Whitehead, adding it was “a place she should have felt safe”.

“William Finlay and Alyson had previously been in a relationship which had ended over a year before the fatal stabbing even took place,” she said.

“As a result, William Finlay is the first person in Northern Ireland to be convicted and sentenced for murder which has been aggravated by domestic abuse under new legislation.

“I know that Alyson’s loving family are heartbroken and my thoughts, and the thoughts of our entire team, remain with them today.”

Public Prosecution Service senior public prosecutor Keith Harbinson said domestic violence was an aggravating factor in the murder of Ms Nelson.

He said: “There should be no place in society for domestic abuse.

“We always take domestic abuse, including violence perpetrated by a partner or former partner, very seriously and consider it to be an aggravating factor in a case.

“This case had the most serious and tragic outcome there can be, however domestic abuse can take many forms.

“Prosecuting domestic abuse offences and bringing offenders to justice where there is the evidence to do so is a key priority for the PPS.

“Finlay’s brutal actions have left Ms Nelson’s friends and family, including her four children, and the wider community in Whitehead, of which she was a much-respected member, devastated.

“I would like to thank Ms Nelson’s family for their dignity throughout these proceedings.

“I hope that the conclusion of the court case brings them some comfort as they continue to try and cope with their loss.”