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Eric Michels murder: 'Grindr thief' guilty of businessman murder Eric Michels murder: 'Grindr thief' guilty of businessman murder
(32 minutes later)
A serial thief who targeted victims through gay dating apps has been found guilty of murdering a businessman with a GHB drug overdose.A serial thief who targeted victims through gay dating apps has been found guilty of murdering a businessman with a GHB drug overdose.
An Old Bailey jury convicted Gerald Matovu, 26, of killing Eric Michels, 54, who was found dead at his south-west London home on 18 August.An Old Bailey jury convicted Gerald Matovu, 26, of killing Eric Michels, 54, who was found dead at his south-west London home on 18 August.
The court heard the pair met in central London through the Grindr app before taking a cab back to Mr Michel's house.The court heard the pair met in central London through the Grindr app before taking a cab back to Mr Michel's house.
Matovu had previously admitted selling GHB to serial killer Stephen Port.Matovu had previously admitted selling GHB to serial killer Stephen Port.
The link between a Grindr murderer and a serial killer
Port was given a whole-life term for the murders of four young men he poisoned with lethal doses of the substance and raped after meeting them on Grindr.Port was given a whole-life term for the murders of four young men he poisoned with lethal doses of the substance and raped after meeting them on Grindr.
Matovu was also found guilty of six counts of administering a noxious substance so as to endanger life and one of possession of GBL with intent to supply. At a trial, Matovu, of Southwark, south London, and his co-defendant Brandon Dunbar, 24 of Forest Gate, east London, were convicted of a string of charges including administering a noxious substance, assault by penetration and theft.
His co-defendant Brandon Dunbar, from Forest Gate, east London, was convicted of two counts of administering a noxious substance so as to endanger life, six counts of possessing articles for use in fraud, four of theft, and one of fraud. Prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC said the charges related to 12 gay men who met one or both of the defendants for the purposes of sex, but ended up as victims.
The men were also both found guilty of assault by penetration, assault and theft in relation to one victim.
During the trial, prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC said the charges related to 12 gay men who met one or both of the defendants for the purposes of sex, but ended up as victims.
The court heard Mr Michels, an executive at energy company SSE, met Matovu in the early hours of 17 August.The court heard Mr Michels, an executive at energy company SSE, met Matovu in the early hours of 17 August.
The pair went to back to the businessman's home in Chessington, where he was given a fatal dose of GHB, a drug used in so-called chemsex but also linked to instances of date-rape. The pair went back to the businessman's home in Chessington, where he was given a fatal dose of GHB, a drug used in so-called chemsex but also linked to instances of date-rape.
While his victim was incapacitated, Matovu took the opportunity to take photos of Mr Michels' bank cards, driving licence and various passwords.While his victim was incapacitated, Matovu took the opportunity to take photos of Mr Michels' bank cards, driving licence and various passwords.
That evening Mr Michels' 14-year-old daughter sent him a text but received no response, the court heard.
After a follow-up message the next day, she received the "totally uncharacteristic" response of: "Hello hun im a little busy talk soon".
That led her to calling her father's phone, but after an unknown male answered and hung up when she said who was calling, she and her mother went to Mr Michels' home and found him motionless in bed.
An empty syringe without a needle attached, which contained DNA from both Matovu and Mr Michels and traces of GHB, was found on the floor beside the bed.
Matovu denied administering the drug to his victim, claiming he had taken it of his own will.
As the guilty verdict was returned on Matovu's murder charge, Mr Michels' family shouted "yes - rest of your life in prison".
Mr Michels had three children with his ex-wife, from whom he divorced in 2010 after coming out as gay.
He had once trained as an actor and still made occasional film appearances, including in the James Bond film Skyfall.
Matovu was also convicted of six counts of administering a noxious substance, seven thefts, six counts of having articles for fraud, assault by penetration, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing the drug GBL.
Dunbar was found guilty of three counts of administering a noxious substance, five thefts, six counts of having articles for fraud, two frauds, assault by penetration, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and dishonestly retaining wrongful credit.
The pair were remanded in custody for sentencing on 5 September.