Two siblings have been convicted of the murder of a civil servant 42 years ago after a series of violent attacks on gay men. Michael Stewart, 57, and Anthony Stewart, 60, were found guilty of killing Anthony Littler in East Finchley, north London, on May 1, 1984, when they were teenagers.
Anthony Littler, aged 45, was struck on the head twice with a blunt object, left in an alleyway in a pool of blood, and discovered by passersby within half an hour of the assault. Despite sustaining a severe brain injury, he was found still in possession of his briefcase, £80 in cash, and credit cards.
The Stewart brothers, along with their associates, had developed a disturbing habit of targeting solitary men believed to be homosexual. Initially denying involvement, they later boasted about the attack and their involvement in what was described as “queer bashing.”
After decades of the murder remaining unsolved, a breakthrough occurred when the siblings’ younger brother, Daniel, disclosed the truth to the authorities following a family dispute. This revelation led to the reopening of the case in 2022, during which covert investigative methods were used to gather evidence against the brothers.
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, the jury swiftly reached a guilty verdict for the murder charges. Prosecutors emphasized the significance of achieving justice for Anthony Littler, highlighting the heinous nature of the hate crime and the importance of closure for the victim’s family.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John of Scotland Yard remarked on the brothers’ deliberate targeting of Anthony Littler due to his vulnerability and isolation during the attack. The court heard details of the fatal assault, which took place in a dim alleyway where the victim was ambushed and fatally injured.
A crucial piece of evidence was an emergency call made shortly after the attack, which investigators linked to Michael Stewart. Both defendants chose not to testify during the trial and consistently denied any involvement in the crime.
The Stewart brothers were remanded into custody pending their sentencing scheduled for July 3.