TL;DR
- Two brothers on trial for the 1984 murder of gay man Anthony Littler.
- Victim was attacked in East Finchley while returning home.
- New evidence emerged from a family member’s confession.
- Prosecution claims it was part of a pattern of violence against gay men.
- Trial highlights ongoing issues of LGBTQ+ safety.
In a chilling reminder of the violence faced by the LGBTQ+ community, two brothers are now on trial for the 1984 murder of Anthony Littler, a gay civil servant, in North London. The case, which had remained cold for nearly three decades, is finally seeing the light of day as the Stewart brothers, aged 57 and 60, face justice for their alleged brutal crime.
On that fateful night of May 1, 1984, 45-year-old Littler was ambushed in an alleyway in East Finchley. He was returning home after an evening of camaraderie at a Surrey pub, where he had been attending a meeting of The Society for the Preservation of Beer from the Wood. Little did he know that he would soon be the victim of a savage attack that would leave him with fatal skull fractures and a catastrophic brain injury.
Despite the horrific nature of the crime, the case went cold for years. Littler’s belongings, including his briefcase, credit cards, and a hefty £80 in cash, were found intact, suggesting that this was not a robbery gone wrong but rather a targeted attack. The Stewart brothers initially claimed they were at home during the time of the murder, but new evidence has since come to light.
Fast forward to 2022, when the investigation was reopened after a family feud led to a shocking confession from their younger brother, Daniel Stewart. He revealed that Michael and Anthony Stewart had boasted about the murder, referring to it as “queer bashing.” This revelation prompted police to launch a covert investigation into the brothers, leading to their arrest.
During the trial at the Old Bailey, prosecutor John Price KC painted a disturbing picture of the Stewart brothers, suggesting that their violent tendencies were not isolated incidents. “This was not the only time that Michael Stewart, Anthony Stewart and others associated with them used violence on a solitary man they did not know, in a public place,” Price stated. The prosecution alleges that the brothers had developed a habit of targeting men they suspected of being gay, turning their bigotry into a twisted form of entertainment.
Adding to the horror, the Stewarts’ sister Gaynor revealed that they had a history of racist and homophobic violence, further emphasizing the need for justice in this case. The trial has been adjourned, but the implications of this case resonate deeply within the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the ongoing fight against hate and violence.
As the trial continues, we can only hope that justice will be served for Anthony Littler and that this case will serve as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. In a world where violence against the LGBTQ+ community remains a pressing issue, this trial is a crucial step towards accountability and justice.