Daniel Watkis, 30, has been found guilty of murdering Junior Coleman, 43, at the former Brockley Social Club on Brockley Road in Lewisham on July 9, 2025. Coleman died from blunt force trauma to his head and face, inflicted by repeated heavy blows from a blunt object. His body was hidden under a tarpaulin and other items in a rear bar area of the derelict building, where both men had been sleeping rough.
CCTV and forensic evidence
CCTV footage captured both men walking together towards the social club earlier on the day of the murder. Watkis left and returned just before 11pm, after which Coleman, who was already inside, was fatally 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, glancing back towards the building. In the early hours of the morning, he stopped using his usual phone number and weeks later reported his bank card—found next to Coleman’s body—as stolen. He also discouraged others from reporting Junior missing.
Items linked to Watkis found near body
When police searched the former social club, they found Coleman’s body hidden beneath a tarpaulin. Items belonging to Watkis, including his bank card, Freedom Pass, and provisional driving licence, were found near the body. His bank card and Freedom Pass had last been used on July 9. A water bottle found nearby was forensically linked to Watkis. A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and face.
Arrest and trial
Watkis was arrested on suspicion of murder on September 24 at his Hackney home. During police interview, he largely answered “no comment” and denied murdering Coleman, at times even denying knowing him, despite evidence that the two men had spent time together and both stayed at the former social club. He 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.”
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.”
“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.”
