In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, a man described by a judge as a "master manipulator" has been handed a life sentence for the brutal murder of his elderly fiancée. Ian Gair, 47, callously killed 71-year-old Pauline Finlay in a vicious attack at her home in Salford, Greater Manchester.
The court heard how Gair, a man with a history of deception and fraud, saw Ms. Finlay not as a partner, but as a means to a significant inheritance. After systematically draining her savings, he escalated his violence, culminating in a fatal assault in October 2022.
A Calculated and Brutal Attack
Manchester Crown Court was presented with a harrowing sequence of events. Gair subjected Ms. Finlay to a sustained and savage beating before holding her head underwater in the bath until she drowned. He then coldly left her body submerged and fled the scene.
In a twisted attempt to cover his tracks, Gair later returned to the property and phoned emergency services, feigning shock and claiming he had found his fiancée unresponsive. However, his web of lies quickly unravelled under police scrutiny.
A History of Exploitation
Evidence revealed a pattern of calculated abuse that began long before the murder. Gair, who had moved into Ms. Finlay's home, had:
- Coerced her into changing her will just months before her death, making him the sole beneficiary.
- Plundered her life savings, spending thousands of pounds of her money on himself.
- Isolated her from her family, a classic tactic of a manipulative abuser.
Text messages shown to the jury depicted Gair as controlling and possessive, while witnesses described Ms. Finlay as a "kind and gentle soul" who had been utterly transformed by his influence.
Justice Served at Manchester Crown Court
After being found guilty of murder, Ian Gair was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years. Mr Justice Goose condemned Gair's actions, stating he had killed for financial gain and shown no genuine remorse.
This case stands as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of the elderly and the devastating consequences of predatory manipulation. The investigation was led by Detective Chief Inspector Alicia Smith of Greater Manchester Police, who praised the courage of Ms. Finlay's family throughout the traumatic trial.
