Killers used dumbbell in attack
TWO people have been convicted for the killing of a robbery victim using a dumbbell.
Christopher McDonald, 34, and Aliysa Ellis, 30, were found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey.
McDonald, of Goodwin Road, Croydon was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to rob while Ellis, of Loveday Road, Ealing was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.
They will be sentenced at the same court on April 3.
The court was told that the duo worked together to plan the robbery of Paul Tong, 54, on the night of April 19, 2017.
Mr Tong’s body was found when family members grew concerned and called police to a house in Willcott Road, Ealing, the following day.
A post-mortem examination revealed a number of injuries, including fractured ribs and a ruptured liver.
A murder investigation was launched and it was established that an exercise bar found behind the door of the bedroom was likely to have been used to cause the injuries. Christopher McDonald, 34 and Aliysa Ellis, 30 were found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey
Messages on McDonald’s phone, recovered by police, sent to him by Ellis shortly before 9pm read “make sure you get the P” - ‘P’being slang for money.
The pair were also in contact throughout the next day and, on April 21, McDonald searched for Crimewatch.
Ellis was arrested on May 3, 2017 and McDonald was arrested on May 12, 2017.
They were both charged on January 12, 2018.
Detective Sergeant Lee Tullett, the investigating officer, said: “Ellis knew that Paul Tong dealt drugs and kept cash and other valuables in his bedroom; and she conspired with McDonald to rob him.
“Paul was subjected to a violent attack and the pair then callously left him fatally injured in his bedroom before his body was found the next day.
“I hope this conviction can now start to bring some closure to Paul’s family so they can move forward.”