DARK TRUTH
THIS is the moment a killer walked into a police station and confessed to murdering a man four decades ago.
John Paul, 61, has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering Anthony Bird in June 1980.
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Anthony, known to those close to him as Tony, was found dead at his home in Kensington, West London, after he failed to turn up for work.
Cops found the 41-year-old's body with clear marks and bruises and bound by an electrical cable.
His flat had been ransacked, with electrical items and alcohol stolen.
A murder probe was launched but by 1981 enquiries had been exhausted.
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The case was regularly reviewed but Tony's murder remained unsolved for 41 years.
On May 5, 2021, however, Paul walked into Hammersmith Police Station and revealed his crime.
In footage of the interaction, he can be heard telling the receptionist he had murdered a man in 1980.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged.
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But despite his confession, Paul, of Kensington, pleaded not guilty and stood trial at the Old Bailey.
He was convicted of murder on October 24 and was today sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 19 years.
Tony's heartbroken 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.”
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 that evening and had gone back to Tony’s flat with the intention of robbing him.
It was while they were there alone that Paul, having tied Tony up with cable, grabbed a piece of wood and beat Tony with it until he was unconscious.
Paul returned to the flat later that night to steal Tony's belongings.
The investigation 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
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“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.
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“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.”
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