Man, 30, killed 'much-loved dad' and hid body under tarpaulin in derelict building

A man has been convicted of murdering a "much-loved dad" after beating him to death and hiding his body beneath a tarpaulin in a derelict building. The victim, Junior Coleman, 43, was found dead in a former social club in Lewisham following an attack that occurred nearly a year ago. The incident took place on July 9 last year when Daniel Watkis, 30, allegedly assaulted Coleman inside the Brockley Social Club, a location where both men were reportedly sleeping rough. According to court proceedings at Woolwich Crown Court, Watkis struck Coleman repeatedly with a blunt object, causing severe injuries to his head and face. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Coleman died from blunt force trauma, with wounds consistent with multiple heavy blows. Investigations into the case were aided significantly by CCTV footage that captured both men entering the building earlier that day. The video also showed Watkis returning to the site around 11 pm, raising suspicions among investigators. The following evening, at approximately 11:40 pm, Watkis was observed walking along Brockley Road, frequently looking back toward the abandoned structure. This behavior became more concerning the next day, as Watkis ceased using his usual phone number. Further clues emerged weeks later when Watkis reported his bank card as stolen, an item that was later discovered beside Coleman's body. Additionally, Watkis attempted to prevent others from reporting Coleman as missing, adding to the growing evidence against him. When police searched the building, they uncovered Coleman's body hidden under a tarpaulin. Alongside the remains, they found several of Watkis's personal belongings, including his bank card and Freedom Pass, both of which had been last used on July 9. A provisional driving licence and a water bottle linked to Watkis were also found nearby. Watkis was arrested on September 24 from his Hackney home and charged with murder. During questioning, he largely remained silent, offering only "no comment" responses. Despite this, he denied any knowledge of Coleman, contradicting CCTV footage that showed the two spending time together and staying at the former social club. During the trial, Detective Chief Inspector Suzanne Soren, who led the investigation, expressed her condolences to Coleman's family, emphasizing the profound impact of the victim's death on those close to him. She acknowledged the complexity of the case, highlighting the efforts of detectives and forensic experts who meticulously examined numerous pieces of evidence over several months. Their work included reviewing extensive CCTV recordings, analyzing digital communications, tracing Watkis's movements, and securing critical forensic data to build a compelling case. Soren noted that the conviction marked a significant step in holding Watkis accountable for Coleman's death and reinforced the commitment of law enforcement to pursuing all possible leads in serious criminal cases. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 9, where the court will determine the appropriate punishment for Watkis based on the evidence presented during the trial.