Daniel Watkis, 30, has been found guilty of murdering Junior Coleman, a 43-year-old father, whose body was discovered concealed under a tarpaulin in a derelict building in Lewisham. The verdict was delivered at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, July 10.
Attack and Concealment
The court heard that Watkis brutally attacked Coleman on July 9 last year at the Brockley Social Club in Lewisham, where both men were sleeping rough. Coleman sustained repeated blows to his head and face, causing blunt force trauma that proved fatal. After the assault, Watkis moved Coleman's body to another part of the derelict building and hid it under a tarpaulin.
CCTV footage captured both men walking toward the social club earlier that day. Later, at around 11pm, Watkis was seen returning to the building alone, after which detectives determined Coleman was fatally wounded. At approximately 11:40pm, Watkis was spotted walking along Brockley Road, repeatedly glancing back at the abandoned building.
Suspicious Behavior and Evidence
The day after the murder, Watkis stopped using his usual mobile phone number. Weeks later, he reported his bank card as stolen; this card was later found next to Coleman's body. He also discouraged others from reporting Coleman as a missing person.
When police searched the building, they found Coleman's body under a tarpaulin, along with several items belonging to Watkis, including his bank card, Freedom Pass (both last used on July 9), and a provisional driving licence. A water bottle found near the body was forensically linked to Watkis.
Arrest and Trial
Watkis was arrested at his Hackney home on September 24 on suspicion of murder. During police interviews, he mostly answered “no comment” and denied killing Coleman, despite CCTV evidence showing the pair together. He also claimed not to know the victim, contradicting footage that showed them spending time together at the social club.
On Friday, July 10, the jury found Watkis guilty of murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 9.
Police Statement
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.”
She added: “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.”
DCI Soren concluded: “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.”
