A man was convicted of murdering an acquaintance at a derelict Lewisham social club on Friday.
Daniel Watkis, 30, was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of killing Junior Coleman, 43, on July 9, 2025, at the former Brockley Social Club on Brockley Road, where both men had been sleeping rough.
After Coleman’s family reported him missing, Met Police officers searching the building on September 19 found his body concealed beneath a tarpaulin and other items in a rear bar area.
Detectives built their case by piecing together CCTV footage, witness accounts, forensic and digital evidence, telecommunications enquiries and Watkis’s movements before and after the murder.
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.”
CCTV captured Watkis and Coleman walking together towards the former social club earlier on the day of the murder.
Coleman was wearing the same clothing later found on his body.
Watkis returned to the building shortly before 11pm while Coleman was already inside.
Forensic evidence indicated Coleman was attacked in one part of the room before his body was moved and concealed.
CCTV later showed Watkis leaving the building about 11:40pm and walking along Brockley Road, where he was seen glancing back towards the former social club.
Police said Watkis stopped using his unusual mobile phone number in the early hours after the murder.
Weeks later, he reported his bank card as stolen, although it was later found beside Coleman’s body.
Police also said Watkis discourages others from reporting Coleman missing.
But concern for Coleman continued to grow, and his family reported his disappearance.
Officers found Watkis’s bank card, Freedom Pass and provisional driving license close to Coleman’s body.
His bank card and Freedom Pass had last been used on the day of the murder, while a water bottle found nearby was forensically linked to him.
A post-mortem examination found Coleman died from blunt-force trauma to his head and face.
His injuries were consistent with repeated heavy blows from a blunt object.
Watkis was arrested on suspicion of murder at his Hackney address on September 24.
He gave largely “no comment” answers during police interviews and denied murdering Coleman.
At times, he also denied knowing him despite evidence showing the pair had spent time together and both stayed at the former social club.
He was charged with murder two days later.
DCI Soren said detectives and forensic specialists had pursued hundreds of lines of enquiry over several months to secure the conviction.
She added: “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.”
Watkis will be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on October 9.
Featured image credit: Wikimedia Commons
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