The undercover police sting that solved a 1984 murder and sent two brothers to jail
Two brothers have been sentenced to life in prison for the 1984 murder of Anthony Littler after a long-term undercover police operation. The case, which remained unsolved for 42 years, was finally closed after detectives used covert surveillance to capture the suspects' admissions.
Why it matters
The case demonstrates the effectiveness of modern undercover investigative techniques in resolving decades-old cold cases.
Image source, Family photo Image caption, Anthony Littler was beaten to death in an alleyway in north London in May 1984 - his killers walked free for more than 40 years
Just after midnight on 1 May 1984, civil servant Anthony Littler stepped off a train at East Finchley station and set off down a dark alleyway towards home.
Two minutes later, the 45-year-old lay dying on the ground.
Anthony - a "gentle giant" to his friends, who lived alone and loved real ale - had been struck twice over the head. Nothing was stolen. No eyewitnesses, no forensics, no clear motive.
For 42 years, nobody was brought to justice.
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