Man walked into police station to confess to 1980 west London murder, court hears

The Old Bailey heard that Paul had told the police station desk clerk he had killed a man in around 1980. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

A 61-year-old accused of killing a part-time barman more than 40 years ago walked into a police station to confess to murder, a court has heard.

Anthony Bird, 42, was found dead at his flat in west London on 6 June 1980, naked and with his wrists bound, the Old Bailey heard. His death remained unsolved for 41 years, until John Paul allegedly told police he had “battered him” with a lump of wood.