Two brothers have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a civil servant 42 years ago, a crime they committed "for fun" during a series of violent robberies targeting gay men. Michael Stewart, 57, and Anthony Stewart, 60, were just 15 and 18 when they attacked Anthony Littler as he walked home in East Finchley, north London, on 1 May 1984.
Younger Brother Reveals Secret
The Stewarts were brought to justice after their younger brother, Daniel, who was 10 at the time of the murder, approached police following a family dispute in 2013. He revealed that his siblings had admitted to the killing and bragged about "queer bashing."
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, the pair were convicted of murder. On Friday, Mrs Justice Cutts sentenced Anthony Stewart, believed to have dealt the fatal blow, to a minimum of 15 years in prison, while Michael Stewart, who acted as a lookout, received a minimum of 10 years.
Victim Remembered as Kind and Gentle
In a broadcasted sentencing, the judge described Mr Littler as a "quiet, kind and gentle man" who lived a "quiet, decent and honest life." He was a civil servant who lived alone in East Finchley.
The judge noted that the defendants had targeted gay men to rob, stating: "1984 was a different time and in many respects a different place." However, there was no evidence Mr Littler was gay.
Mr Littler's cousin, Patricia McClure, said in a statement: "I am particularly angry these murderers have had 42 years of freedom and they picked Anthony at random for fun, while I am glad that people have been found accountable."
Attack and Investigation
On the night of his death, Mr Littler had attended a pub in Carshalton, Surrey, for a meeting of the Ponds Branch of The Society for the Preservation of Beer from the Wood. He was ambushed as he walked home from East Finchley Tube station at 12:18 am, struck twice over the head with a baseball bat-type weapon and another tool. He was discovered fatally injured half an hour later, still clutching his briefcase, £80 cash, and credit cards.
Michael Stewart made an anonymous emergency call from a telephone box minutes after the attack, but a search for an injured man was abandoned when he terminated the call. Mr Littler was found by passers-by 30 minutes later, having sustained a "catastrophic" brain injury.
Police conducted door-to-door enquiries, but the brothers claimed to have been at home. Despite appeals on BBC Crimewatch and ITV's Police 5, the case went cold for decades.
Breakthrough and Conviction
The breakthrough came on the 29th anniversary of Mr Littler's death, when Daniel approached police. In 2022, officers reopened the investigation and used covert surveillance, placing listening devices in the brothers' vehicles and Michael's home. Michael proved to have a "loose tongue," boasting about his actions in 1984.
Prosecutor John Price KC noted that Anthony Stewart had a previous conviction for racially aggravated assault in 2010, and Michael Stewart had boasted that his record did not reflect his violent behaviour. Intimidation of witnesses was also an aggravating factor.
Samantha Yelland, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Today, Michael and Anthony Stewart have been sentenced for the murder of Anthony Littler more than 40 years ago. My deepest condolences go to Anthony's family... Nothing can undo what happened to Anthony that night, but I hope today goes some way to honouring him and giving him the justice he deserved."
