Man killed ‘much-loved dad’ then hid body under tarpaulin in derelict South London building

He will be sentenced later this year

A man killed an acquaintance and left his body in a derelict building. Daniel Watkis beat Junior Coleman, 43, to death on the evening of Wednesday, July 9, at the former Brockley Social Club on Brockley Road in Lewisham, where both were sleeping rough.

CCTV caught both men walking together towards the social club earlier that day. Watkis went back just before 11pm, after which Coleman – who was already inside – was fatally attacked. He was attacked in one part of the room before his body was moved and dumped.

At around 11.40pm, Watkis was seen walking along Brockley Road, having left the social club and was glancing back towards the building. In the early hours of the morning he stopped using his usual number and weeks later he reported his bank card – which was later found next to Coleman’s body – stolen.

He also discouraged others from reporting Junior missing. When police searched the former social club Coleman’s body was found hidden beneath a tarpaulin and other items in a rear bar area.

Items belonging to Watkis, including his bank card, Freedom Pass, and provisional driving licence were found near Coleman’s body. His bank card and Freedom Pass had last been used on July 9.

A water bottle found nearby was also forensically linked to Watkis. A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Coleman had died from blunt force trauma to his head and face. His injuries were from repeated heavy blows from a blunt object.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder on September 24, at his Hackney home. In his interview, he largely answered “no comment” and denied murdering Coleman and at times denied even knowing him, despite evidence that the two men had spent time together and both stayed at the former social club.

Watkis, 30, was found guilty on Friday, July 10, at Woolwich Crown Court and will be sentenced on October 9.

Detective Chief Inspector Suzanne Soren, who led the investigation, said: “Junior Coleman was a much-loved son, brother, father and friend whose life mattered deeply to those who knew him. Today my thoughts are firmly with everyone who knew and loved him. Throughout this investigation, Mr Coleman’s family have shown remarkable dignity, patience and strength. Nothing can undo their loss, but I hope today’s verdict provides them with some measure of justice as they continue to grieve.

“This was a complex investigation that relied on the determination and professionalism of detectives and forensic specialists who painstakingly pieced together hundreds of individual lines of enquiry over many months. They reviewed extensive CCTV, analysed digital and telecommunications evidence, traced Watkis’ movements, secured crucial forensic opportunities – building a case that ensured Mr Coleman’s family finally received the answers they deserved.

“Today’s verdict means Daniel Watkis has been held accountable for taking Mr Coleman’s life. It also sends a clear message that those responsible for the most serious crimes cannot rely on time, concealment or deception to escape justice. No matter how complex an investigation may be, we will continue to pursue every available line of enquiry to ensure those responsible are brought before the courts.”

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