A man has been convicted of murdering a father after brutally attacking him and concealing his body in an abandoned building. The incident occurred at the Brockley Social Club in Lewisham, where both the victim and the perpetrator were residing. The victim, Junior Coleman, suffered fatal blunt force trauma to his head and face, indicating a vicious assault with a blunt object.
CCTV footage captured the killer, Daniel Watkis, and Coleman together before the attack and later showed Watkis returning to the site alone, where Coleman was fatally injured. Suspicious behavior by Watkis, including glances back at the building and changes in his routine, raised concerns among investigators.
Watkis attempted to mislead authorities by reporting his bank card as stolen, which was later found near Coleman’s body. He also discouraged others from reporting Coleman as a missing person. When the building was searched, Coleman’s body was discovered hidden under a tarpaulin, along with Watkis’s personal items linking him to the crime scene.
Watkis was arrested and denied any involvement in Coleman’s death, despite evidence proving otherwise. However, he was ultimately found guilty of murder. The sentencing is scheduled for October 9.
Detective Chief Inspector Suzanne Soren, who oversaw the investigation, emphasized the significance of the verdict in bringing justice for Coleman’s loved ones. The complex investigation involved meticulous scrutiny of various evidence sources, ultimately ensuring accountability for the crime and sending a clear message that serious offenses will not go unpunished.
