Home / Crime and Justice / Brothers Guilty of 42-Year-Old Murder
Brothers Guilty of 42-Year-Old Murder
1 Jun
Summary
- Two brothers convicted of murder after 42 years.
- Victim was targeted as part of a hate crime.
- Brother's confession provided crucial evidence.
A 42-year-old murder case has reached a verdict, with two brothers convicted of killing Anthony Littler. The brothers, Michael and Anthony Stewart, were teenagers when they attacked Littler in an East Finchley alley on May 1, 1984. They were found guilty of murder by a jury at the Old Bailey on Monday.
The court heard that the brothers and their friends had a "hobby" of targeting lone men they believed to be gay. Littler, 45, suffered a catastrophic brain injury after being struck twice with a blunt weapon. Despite extensive appeals, including on television, the case remained unsolved for decades.
The crucial breakthrough occurred on the 29th anniversary of Littler's death. The defendants' younger brother came forward to police after a family falling-out, revealing that his older brothers had confessed to the killing and boasted about engaging in "queer bashing." This testimony, along with other evidence, led to the guilty verdict. The brothers have been remanded into custody and are scheduled for sentencing on July 3. The conviction offers some measure of closure to Littler's grieving family and friends.
