A killer who shot a man in a crowded pub and then hacked him up with a chainsaw has died.

Anthony Crabb, 52, died on February 15, three months after being released from prison.

Crabb, formerly of Coniston Court in Wallington, had been suffering from cancer.

In June 1993, Crabb was sentenced to life in prison for the murder and butchering of 38-year-old Steven Davison, following a trivial row in a notorious Wallington pub.

The St Helier Tavern, dubbed the most dangerous pub in Britain before it was demolished in 1996, was hosting a quiz night on May 28, 1992, when Davison had entered.

He had been barred the previous week after attacking a pub singer following a row about a cigarette lighter.

When Davison refused to leave he attacked bouncer Michael Bond, and Anthony Crabb and another man got involved.

Crabb shot Davison in the chest and dragged him, with the help of his friend, to a nearby horse box.

The quiz night, and the 50 attendees, carried on as normal.

A murder hunt was launched after a bag containing the torso of Davison was found in a lake in Priory Park, Reigate, on June 7,1992.

It was not until September that police charged Crabb and the other man with the murder.

Crabb had boasted to friends that he would never be caught because nobody would dare testify against him.

It looked to be the case as weekly police appeals fell on deaf ears, and months went by and nobody came forward.

But three key witnesses, protected by police, helped to put Crabb and his friend behind bars.

Bouncer Michael Bond, who turned star witness for the prosecution, walked free from the Old Bailey after the judge heard he was being hunted by hitmen.

Crabb was sentenced to life for the murder.

The other man was found guilty of helping dispose of the body and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

The full details of the gruesome murder came to light at the Old Bailey in June 1993.

The jury heard how Davison’s body was cut into eight pieces with a chainsaw.

Crabb and the other man removed all his teeth, burned his hands and even kept a gold tooth as a memento.

The funeral of Anthony Crabb was on February 26, at Garth Road Crematorium.

• Get the latest crime figures in our Local Information section