Contract killers face life in jail after law-changing trial

Douglas Johnson, 30, and David Austin, 43, were convicted of murdering wheelclamper Charlie Butler, 50, after their third trial at the Old Bailey. Judge David Paget said the killing had been carried out for gain using a firearm.

A political row broke out in June 2008 when the men were first tried. The trial was halted after the Law Lords ruled in another case that it was illegal for any witness to give evidence without the defence knowing who they were.

Five witnesses had given evidence anonymously and Judge David Paget stopped the trial as the prosecution case was about to close.

Questions were asked in Parliament after the collapse of the 6m trial and four-year investigation which had also included an investigation into police corruption.

The 2008 Criminal Evidence (Witness Anony-mity) Act was rushed through in July before the summer recess.

The five witnesses, known as C, D, E, F and G, agreed to give evidence again and kept their anonymity in court.

After a delay of nine months, a 2m retrial followed but last April the jury was unable to agree verdicts.

A third trial costing 1m began on February 26 this year and yesterday the men were found guilty – six years after Mr Butler was shot.

For the first time in Britain, a recording was played to the jury of part of the previous trial because Austin's brother Peter refused to give evidence again. Only one of the anonymous witnesses, Miss G, was by then required to attend court.