Two siblings, Michael Stewart, aged 57, and Anthony Stewart, aged 60, were convicted of the murder of civil servant Anthony Littler 42 years ago. The incident occurred on May 1, 1984, as Littler was walking home in East Finchley, north London. Littler, aged 45, sustained fatal head injuries after being struck twice by a blunt object and was discovered in an alley by passersby. Despite the attack, he was found with his belongings, including a briefcase, £80 in cash, and credit cards.
The Stewart brothers had developed a disturbing pattern of targeting solitary men they perceived as homosexual, the court was informed. Initially, they denied any involvement in Littler’s assault, with Anthony claiming he never frequented the alley where the incident occurred. However, a breakthrough in the case came years later when their younger brother, Daniel, disclosed the truth to authorities after a family dispute.
Subsequently, in 2022, authorities reopened the investigation and utilized covert methods to gather evidence against the Stewart brothers. Michael Stewart, known for being talkative, inadvertently revealed details of the murder during surveillance. Following a trial at the Old Bailey, the brothers were swiftly found guilty of the murder after the jury deliberated for a brief period.
The decision to employ covert tactics was deemed necessary due to the absence of substantial evidence related to the historic hate crime, remarked Senior Crown prosecutor Samantha Yelland. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John of Scotland Yard highlighted the brothers’ deliberate targeting of Littler, exploiting his vulnerability while walking alone in a secluded area.
During the trial, the prosecutor outlined the events leading to Littler’s demise, emphasizing the calculated nature of the attack. Witnesses who discovered Littler shortly after the assault described the severity of his injuries, which led to his tragic death at the scene. Additionally, details emerged regarding an anonymous emergency call made around the time of the incident, indicating potential involvement by one of the brothers.
Despite maintaining their innocence and opting not to testify, the Stewart brothers were taken into custody following the guilty verdict. Their sentencing is scheduled for July 3. The successful conclusion of the case was met with satisfaction by the prosecution and law enforcement officials, aiming to deliver justice for Anthony Littler and his family.
