A career criminal who killed an elderly brother and sister in a bungled burglary has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 32 years.

Danville Neil, 65, “dodged justice for nearly 30 years” after attacking Second World War veteran William Bryan, 71, and widow Anne Castle, 74, during a break-in at their east London home in August 1993.

Neil was arrested in 2020 when officers reviewing the deaths of siblings Anne Castle and William Bryan in their Bethnal Green flat in 1993 submitted the item for forensic testing.

READ MORE: Man who killed elderly siblings in 1993 convicted after DNA match found

Scientists were able to establish that a DNA sample taken from beneath a knot in the strap - which was used to tie William's hands - belonged to Neil.

On October 1, 2020 officers carried out a search warrant at Neil's Lewisham home and he was arrested. When initially interviewed he denied all knowledge of the incident.

Neil, 65, was convicted at the Old Bailey last Friday (November 18) of the murder of William and manslaughter of Anne following a two-week trial.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna York of the Met's Specialist Crime North Command called the killings "violent and heartless" and said: "We've never given up on this case.

"Thanks to the determination of my officers and efforts of forensic scientists we have been able to achieve justice for Anne and William, and their family who have waited 29 years for this day to come."

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