Police arrest suspect over alleyway murder of 45-year-old man who was killed after leaving East Finchley Tube Station nearly 40 years ago
- Anthony Littler was found dead in an alleyway known at 12.15am on May 1, 1984
Published: 21:12, 10 December 2023 | Updated: 21:47, 10 December 2023
A man has been arrested over the murder of a man who was killed after leaving a tube station in London nearly 40 years ago.
Anthony Littler, 45, was found with head injuries in an alleyway known as The Causeway, near East Finchley Tube station, north London[2], at 12.15am on May 1, 1984.
Police believe he was murdered in a 'random attack', with a motive for the murder still unknown following 'an extensive investigation'.
The Metropolitan Police[3] said it has now arrested a 58-year-old man on suspicion of murder, who has since been bailed to a date in January pending further enquiries.
The arrest comes days after detectives said they believe a serious assault in the same area two days before the attack could be linked to the murder and launched an appeal[4] for further information.
Anthony Littler (pictured) was found with head injuries in an alleyway known as The Causeway, near East Finchley Tube station, north London , at 12.15am on May 1 1984
Handout photo issued by the Metropolitan police in 1984 of an alleyway in East Finchley, north London where Anthony Littler was murdered
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who is leading the investigation, said: 'This arrest comes just four days after our latest appeal, and I would like to thank everyone who has already come forward with information.
'However, we still need to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the events leading up to Anthony's murder.'
The Detective Chief Inspector previously said Mr Littler was on his way home from a night out when the attack occurred.
'He came through East Finchley Tube station and made his way home on foot through an alleyway,' the detective said.
'Sadly, within a few minutes of him leaving the station, a 999 call was made to emergency services requesting an ambulance and police.
'Upon arrival, the police found Mr Littler's lifeless body with catastrophic injuries to his head.'
Police believe the victim of another attack two days earlier could hold key information.
Mr John said a man entered Galleon Wine Store, an off-licence that used to exist near the Tube station, on April 29 1984.
'A man described as 6ft tall, medium build, short brown hair, complained to the shopkeeper that he'd been attacked by two males with baseball bats,' he said.
'He had quite serious injuries to his head and face.'
DCI Neil John outside East Finchley Underground station in north London as Metropolitan Police detectives are appealing for information in the unsolved murder of Anthony Littler
The man told the shopkeeper he had been attacked the evening before, on April 28, but he was never traced.
Mr John said unsolved murders 'never really go away'.
'This matter was reviewed in 1993, 2013, and again now in 2023,' he said.
'It's about creating opportunities, looking back at what we've done, what we haven't done, and hopefully finding answers to the fundamental questions of the who, what, where, when, why and how of what happened to Mr Littler.'
He said police inquiries had found that Mr Littler 'did not have any enemies'.
Mr Littler's cousin, Tricia McClure, 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.'
Anyone with information should contact 0208 358 0100 or call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Met PoliceLondon[5][6]References
- ^ Dan Woodland (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Metropolitan Police (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ launched an appeal (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Police (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)