Brothers deny killing commuter as he walked home from tube station 41 years ago

Anthony Littler was murdered while walking home just after midnight in 1984 (Picture: PA)

Two brothers accused of murdering a man as he walked home 41 years ago in North London have denied accusations of murder.

Anthony Littler, 45, died from ‘catastrophic’ head injuries after he was found in an alleyway near East Finchley Tube station in north London onMay 1, 1984.

Police and ambulance services were called at around 12:15 am, but Mr Littler died at the scene.

Michael Stewart, 56, and Anthony Stewart, 59, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday through video link at HMP Belmarsh and denied murder.

Prosecutor Abigail Husbands earlier said: ‘Mr Anthony Littler left East Finchley tube station at just after quarter past midnight.

‘Having left the station, he set off on a short walk to his nearby home address, where he lived alone.

Mr Littler lived alone in North Finchley and had been walking home (Picture: PA) DCI Neal John is leading the investigation (Picture: PA)

‘His route took him along an enclosed alleyway. Just over three-quarters of the way along that alleyway, he was violently attacked and sustained a fatal head injury.’

Mr Littler suffered two blows to the head. He was discovered lying on the ground a few minutes later by passersby who called emergency services.

Ms Husbands added: ”By the time of the paramedic’s arrival, he had already died, his head wound having bled profusely at the scene.’

The prosecutor said there have been four investigations, with the first investigation in 1984 and 1985 leading to no suspects or arrests.

Mr Littler had been walking down this alleyway, seen in 1984, when he was murdered (Picture: PA)

The current investigation began in 2019.

Michael Stewart, of Station Road, New Barnet, and Anthony Stewart, of Old Farm Road, Finchley, deny murder.

DCI Neil John, leading the investigation, said the case was reviewed in 1993, 2013 and in 2023.

Their six-week trial will begin on April 14 next year

Mr Littler’s cousin, Tricia McClure, previously said: ‘Anthony was a lovely, kind and gentle man who wouldn’t have hurt anyone.

‘It is heartbreaking to our family that this happened to him. After all this time, we hope this new investigation puts those responsible behind bars.

‘It won’t bring Anthony back, but it will give us some closure.’

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