Man charged with college lecturer Mandy Finn's murder

Friends of a college lecturer stabbed to death at home were trying to come to terms with the tragedy today, as a colleague accused of murdering her was appearing in court.

Mandy Finn, aged 40, was knifed at a ground floor flat in Newhampton Road West, Whitmore Reans. Her body was found by police after a 999 call. Ex-mechanic Miss Finn was a psychology and sociology lecturer.

The expert in the psychology of internet and video communication and how it affects court cases graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2005 with a degree in psychology.

She won an award for being the highest achieving undergraduate.

Her most recent role was lecturing at the college's Paget Road campus off Tettenhall Road.

She was studying for a PhD in psychology at Wolverhampton University.

Ashar Ehsan, university director of communications, said: "Everyone at the university is deeply saddened by her death and we would like to express our sincerest sympathies to Mandy's family and friends at the time."

College worker Stephen Dowds, 49, of Newhampton Road West, Whitmore Reans, who is understood to have been close friends with Miss Finn, was charged with her murder and was due in court today.

Friends and students used Facebook to post tributes today.

One, Grace Lynch, said "everyone loved" Miss Finn.

She added: "She will be missed by everyone. Her poor daughters."

A 51-year-old neighbour of Miss Finn, who asked not to be named, said: "She seemed like a nice woman who kept herself to herself.

"It's a shock."

Dowds was a former performing arts tutor at the college but is understood to have moved to a new role within the organisation.

He was due at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court today.

An expected later appearance at crown court in coming days will determine a date to enter a plea and possibly a trial date.