A killer who walked into a police station and confessed to murdering a man more than 40 years ago has been jailed.
John Paul, 61, was sentenced to 19 years in prison for the murder of Anthony Bird in 1980.
Anthony, who was known as Tony in his family, was found dead in his flat in Kensington Gardens Square in West London in June 1980 after he failed to turn up for work.
He was 41 at the time.
Police found Tony's body bound with an electrical cable with visible marks and bruises. His flat had been ransacked and electrical items and alcohol had been stolen.
A murder investigation was immediately launched, but by 1981 all avenues had been exhausted and no evidence to identify the suspect has come to light.
Tony's murder remained unsolved for 41 years.
On May 5, 2021, John Paul walked into Hammersmith Police Station and confessed. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged.
Despite his confession, Paul pleaded not guilty and went on to stand trial at the Old Bailey.
He was convicted by a jury of murder last month at the Old Bailey and was sentenced at the same court today.
The court heard how the pair had met on the evening of 3 June 1980, before they went back to Tony’s home in Kensington.
Paul later said that he was out to steal something and had gone back to Tony’s flat to rob him.
At the flat, Paul tied Tony up with cable, grabbed a piece of wood and beat him with it until he was unconscious.
Paul returned to the flat later that night to steal Tony's belongings.
The investigation later revealed that Paul’s fingerprints matched three prints lifted from the original crime scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Reeves, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Paul’s sentence reflects the serious nature of his actions in 1980. They led to the needless death of a man who had his whole life ahead of him.
“The murder of Tony had been under regular review and although we had never given up on solving the case, the unexpected actions of Paul in May of last year, have finally allowed us to get justice for Tony’s family and friends.
“This was a vicious and brutal attack, carried out with considerable force. Although we may never know the reason for Paul’s actions that day, there is no doubt in my mind that the streets are a safer place following today’s outcome.”
DCI Reeve added: “A significant amount of work has been carried out over the years in order to establish the exact circumstances surrounding Tony’s death. I would like to praise the efforts of the team, particularly those who dealt with Paul in a calm, quick- thinking and professional manner at the time of his confession.
“Despite the long years since Tony’s death, our thoughts and deepest sympathies will remain with his family and friends. I can only hope that this result will start to bring some sort of closure after many years of unanswered questions.”
Tony's family said: "We came to terms with Tony's death many years ago but we’re pleased that after 42 years, his killer has come forward and has been convicted.
"Sadly, his brother died last year and was therefore unable to take comfort from the closure that the court case has brought.”
