A man has been convicted of murdering a beloved father after a violent attack that resulted in the victim’s death. Daniel Watkis, 30, was found guilty of brutally assaulting Junior Coleman, 43, on July 9 last year at the Brockley Social Club in Lewisham, where both men were living on the streets. The autopsy revealed that Coleman died from severe head and facial injuries caused by repeated blunt force trauma.
CCTV footage captured Watkis and Coleman entering the social club together and later showed Watkis returning alone to the building around 11pm, coinciding with the time of the fatal attack on Coleman. Suspicious behavior by Watkis, including frequent glances back at the abandoned building and changes in his usual routine, raised concerns among investigators.
Days later, Watkis falsely reported his bank card as stolen, which was later found near Coleman’s body. Additionally, evidence linking Watkis to the crime scene, such as his personal items including a bank card, Freedom Pass, and provisional driving license, further incriminated him in Coleman’s murder.
Following his arrest on suspicion of murder, Watkis maintained his innocence during questioning, denying any involvement in Coleman’s death despite clear evidence of their association and shared presence at the social club. On Friday, Watkis was convicted of murder and is awaiting sentencing scheduled for October 9.
Detective Chief Inspector Suzanne Soren, who led the investigation, expressed condolences to Coleman’s family and praised the diligent work of the investigative team in unraveling the case. She emphasized that justice has been served for Coleman and underscored the commitment to pursue accountability for serious crimes regardless of attempts to evade detection.
