Metropolitan Police

Eric Michels - Conviction

Video, 15 Jul 17:22

#CONVICTION Two men have been found guilty on 29 counts after targeting men using Grindr, drugging them with GHB and stealing their property.

Tragically, one of their victims, Eric Michels, died after Gerald Matovu, 26, plied him with an overdose of the drug who has today been found guilty for the murder.

#WATCH the video to find out more
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On the 16 August 2018, Eric Michels went on a night out in central London where, after going to a few bars, he made contact with Matovu through Grindr. They met up and then travelled back to Mr Michels home in Chessington.

It was around 6am that Matovu entered Eric's son’s room, claiming he was looking for the bathroom. Whilst Eric was either dead or unconscious, Matovu was undeterred in his mission to steal from Eric, taking photos of his bank cards and other items.

The next evening, Eric’s daughter sent a text inviting her father to dinner - sending a follow up text when he never replied. When the reply came back as “hello hun im a little busy talk soon”, she immediately grew concerned, knowing this was not like her father.

She chose to ring her dad but when an unknown male then picked up the phone, the family members grew even more concerned. It was at this point they went to his house where they found his body. He had been dead for several hours.

Gerald Matovu, 26, was found guilty of killing 52 year old Eric Michels. He was also found guilty of counts of administering a poison with intent to endanger life, fraud and theft, along with his partner Brandon Dunbar, 24.

The court heard that over 19 months Matovu and Dunbar targeted 12 gay men by arranging to meet them through apps such as Grindr. Ten of those men then had property stolen from them and 11 had photos taken of their bank cards and other personal items and stored on a laptop for later use in fraudulent activities.

Eight of the men were drugged with what is believed to be GHB to the point of unconsciousness.

Rendering their victims unconscious meant Matovu and Dunbar could steal their personal belongings without being caught.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of Matovu and Dunbar’s crimes, or any other similar incident can:
- Call police on 101
- Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
- Get support through the charity Galop at www.galop.org.uk or via their Shoutline on 020 7704 2040

#READ more about the case here: http://news.met.police.uk/news/man-guilty-of-murder-after-drugging-victim-using-gbl-374684

Internet Safety: Who is Sam?

Video, 15 Jul 13:15

Who is Sam?

We need to identify people like ‘Sam’ who go online to “try and abuse kids

#WATCH and #SHARE this video to make what Sam does more difficult.

For many, the summer holidays have arrived! Protect young people from people like ‘Sam’.

❗ Have that conversation with your children about their online lives and how they can stay safe online.

❗ Report any concerns you may have about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you or your children online.

For more information visit https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/