Murderer who wanted to rent out flat from jail has landlord bid rejected

A murderer who planned to rent out his Glasgow flat while he serves at least 28 years in jail was refused permission to continue as a landlord today.

Finlay MacDonald, 41, was sentenced to life imprisonment in December for murdering his brother-in-law and attempting to kill his wife and two other people.

MacDonald intended to keep leasing out his Kent Road flat in the Charring Cross area and return to it after his release, the city’s licensing and regulatory committee was told this morning.

A representative acting on behalf of MacDonald said “the flat would be a place for him to stay” after he leaves jail and the income would “raise money for him.”

The marine engineer who was found guilty after a trial shot and killed his brother-in-law John MacKinnon and repeatedly stabbed his wife Rowena on the island of Skye in August 2022.

He then drove to the Scottish mainland where he shot Fay MacKenzie and her husband John in their home.

The representative, who has power of attorney, said MacDonald would have no contact with the tenants if he was allowed to be registered as a private landlord in Glasgow.

He added: “I can’t see any harm to the city to allow the let to continue as it is.”

Seeking clarity on the situation, committee chair councillor Alex Wilson said: “Any income gained from letting this property would go into a bank account or trust.”

The representative confirmed it would.

Councillor Wilson pointed out MacDonald would be serving a custodial sentence for a “considerable length of time” and questioned how the flat would be managed.

The representative said the flat would be handled by a property factor and letting agent who would communicate any work or maintenance issues needing done.

The committee heard father-of-four MacDonald would have no interaction with anyone involved in the flat apart from the representative.

The committee refused MacDonald’s application to be entered into the register of private landlords for three years.