Decades-Old Cold Case Reopened in Chilling Gay Hate Crime
More than 40 years after a brutal killing shook north London, Michael Stewart, 57, and Anthony Stewart, 60, stand trial accused of murdering a civil servant during a violent spree targeting lone gay men.
On the night of May 1, 1984, the brothers—then teenagers aged 15 and 18—allegedly ambushed Anthony Littler, 45, as he walked through an alleyway in East Finchley. The prosecution asserts that they were part of a group wielding blunt weapons, inflicting two skull fractures and a catastrophic brain injury that killed Mr. Littler instantly.
Accusations and Denials
Both brothers deny murder. During initial police inquiries, they claimed to have been home at the time, with Anthony specifically denying ever entering the alley where the attack occurred.
The case took a pivotal turn on the 29th anniversary of the murder when their younger brother, Daniel Stewart, then just 10 years old at the time of the crime, came forward after a family dispute. He told police the brothers had confessed their involvement and boasted about engaging in “queer bashing,” a term for violent attacks on gay men.
Years later, Michael Stewart allegedly admitted guilt to a former girlfriend, even showing her the crime scene.
Pattern of Targeted Violence
Prosecutor John Price KC told jurors at the Old Bailey that the Stewarts’ attack on Mr. Littler was not an isolated incident. “By spring 1984, this pattern of violence against solitary men, particularly those believed to be gay, had become a disturbing habit or hobby,” he said.
The prosecution outlined a series of attacks by the brothers and their associates on vulnerable men in public spaces, underscoring a chilling campaign of hate-fueled violence.
Breakthrough After Decades
The investigation reignited in 2022, with police employing covert methods including bugging the brothers’ cars and Michael’s home. These modern tactics aimed to uncover long-hidden truths in the cold case.
Mr. Littler, known for his passion for real ale, had spent the evening before his death at a pub in Carshalton, Surrey. He arrived at East Finchley Tube station at 12:18 a.m. on May 1, where he was attacked moments later.
Immediately following the assault, Michael Stewart reportedly called for an ambulance from a nearby phone box but abruptly ended the call, leading to a search for the injured man being called off.
Trial Continues Amidst Renewed Scrutiny
The gripping trial is ongoing, as London’s justice system confronts a haunting crime from four decades ago, seeking closure for the victim’s family and justice for a community long targeted by violence.
