New baseball bat attack clue could solve alleyway cold case murder of 45-year-old man who was killed nearly 40 years ago, detectives believe

Detectives investigating the murder of a 45-year-old man almost 40 years ago believe an attack two days earlier may help them solve the case.

Anthony Littler was found with head injuries in an alley known as The Causeway, near East Finchley tube station in north London, at 12:15 am on May 1, 1984.

Mr Littler, chief executive of Customs and Excise, was single and lived near the station.

Despite extensive police investigations at the time, his murder was never solved.

Following a routine re-examination of the case, officers believe a serious assault in the same area two days earlier may have been linked to the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said Littler was returning home from a party when the attack occurred.

Mr Littler was returning home from a party when the attack happened 40 years ago.

Handout issued by the Metropolitan Police in 1984: the alley in East Finchley, north London, where Anthony Littler was killed.

“He passed East Finchley tube station and walked home along the lane,” the detective said.

“Unfortunately, within minutes of him leaving the station, emergency services received a call to 999 asking for an ambulance and police.

“On arrival, police discovered the lifeless body of Mr. Littler with catastrophic head injuries.”

Police believe the victim of another attack may have held key information.

Mr John said that on April 29, 1984, a man entered an unlicensed Galleon liquor store that previously existed next to a subway station.

“A man, 6ft tall, of medium build, with short brown hair, complained to the store owner that he had been attacked by two men with baseball bats,” he said.

“He had some pretty serious injuries to his head and face.”

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John outside East Finchley tube station in north London as Metropolitan Police detectives appeal for information about the unsolved murder of Anthony Littler.

An appeal poster outside East Finchley tube station in north London as Metropolitan Police detectives appeal for information.

The man told the store owner that he had been attacked the night before, April 28.

He has never been found, but police believe he may hold key information for the investigation.

Detectives are also interested in the identity of the man who called police to report the attack on Littler on May 1.

Mr John said that a man called and that he made an anonymous call from a nearby telephone box.

He added that police have found one surviving cousin of Littler who is “very supportive” of the investigation.

Mr John said unsolved murders “will never go away”.

“This issue was considered in 1993, 2013 and again in 2023,” he said.

“It’s about creating opportunities, looking back at what we did, what we didn’t do, and hopefully finding answers to the fundamental questions of who, what, where, when, why and how happened to Mr. Littler.” ‘

He said the police investigation showed Littler “had no enemies”.

Littler’s cousin, Trisha McClure, said: “Anthony was a wonderful, kind and gentle man who would never hurt anyone.”

“It’s very difficult for our family that this happened to him.

“After all this time, we hope that a new investigation will put the culprits behind bars. It won’t bring Anthony back, but it will give us some closure.”

Anyone with information should call 0208 358 0100 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.