James Bond actor murdered by drug dealer who targeted gay men on dating apps
A FORMER Bond actor was murdered by a drug dealer who targeted and robbed gay men.
Eric Michels, 54, hooked up with Gerald Matovu, via Grindr in August last year.
Matovu, 26, injected him with a fatal dose of GHB at his home in Chessington, Surrey, then made off with his bank cards.
Mr Michels, who had a role in Skyfall, was one of 12 men targeted by Matovu and his lover Brandon Dunbar, 24 — over a 19-month period, jurors heard.
Gerald Matovu was convicted of murder after a trial at the Old Bailey.
He was remanded in custody until sentencing on September 5.
At Matovu’s murder trial, prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC told how the defendants took advantage of Grindr hook-ups to steal property and bank details.
On the evening of August 16 last year, divorced father-of-three Mr Michels made contact with Matovu on Grindr after a night out in Soho gay bars.
Mr Michels invited him to his place in south-west London for sex, the court heard.
‘THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN PRISON’
While there, the defendant drugged Mr Michels and took photographs of his bank cards and driver’s licence.
Mr Michels’ body was discovered in bed under a duvet the next day by his concerned family.
An empty 3ml syringe without a needle attached was found on the floor beside the bed. DNA from the victim and defendant was identified on it, as well as traces of GHB, the court heard.
Matovu denied murder but accepted going home with him to have consensual sex. He denied administering GHB to Mr Michels, claiming he took it of his own free will.
Matovu and Dunbar were convicted of a string of charges including administering a noxious substance, assault by penetration and theft.
Matovu, of Southwark, south London, had pleaded guilty to some of the charges against him.
‘THE CENTRE OF HIS LIFE’
Dunbar, of Forest Gate, east London, 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.
Sally-Anne Russell, from the CPS, said: “Gerald Matovu, sometimes alone and sometimes with Brandon Dunbar, contacted men on Grindr to steal from them.
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“A number of times they rendered their victims unconscious for hours by administering GHB and causing them serious harm.
“The CPS was able to show that Matovu knew the dangers he was putting these men under from his involvement in the trial of serial killer Stephen Port who murdered his victims with GHB.
“Our thoughts go out to the family of Mr Michels and to all the victims, and we hope that the convictions will bring some comfort to them.”
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