Crook behind Luton robbery plot convicted of man's brutal murder using dumbbell

A career criminal who plotted to steal £15,000 from Luton's Matalan store has been convicted of brutally murdering a drug-dealer using a dumbbell.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Christopher McDonald, 34, of Goodwin Road, Croydon was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to rob following a trial at the Old Bailey.

His accomplice, 30-year-old Aliysa Ellis, of Loveday Road, Ealing, was convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

They will be sentenced at the same court on 3 April.

The dumbbell used in the murder; inset McDonald (left) and Ellis (right)The dumbbell used in the murder; inset McDonald (left) and Ellis (right)
The dumbbell used in the murder; inset McDonald (left) and Ellis (right)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The court heard Ellis and McDonald worked in partnership to plan the robbery of Paul Tong, 54, on the night of April 19, 2017.

Paul’s body was found after 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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Messages on McDonald’s phone, recovered by police, sent to him by Ellis shortly before 21.00hrs read “make sure you get the P” - “P” being slang for money.

The pair were also in contact throughout the next day and, on 21 April, McDonald searched for “Crimewatch”.

Ellis was arrested on 3 May 2017 and McDonald was arrested on 12 May 2017. They were both charged on 12 January 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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“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."

McDonald was previously jailed for life with a minimum term of six years in 2008 attacking a man with a metal bar, taser and knife in November 2007.

He also admitted to a plot to steal £15,000 from the safe of Luton Matalan in August 2007 and was eventually released on licence in 2014.