Couple Used Dumbbell to Kill Acton Drug Dealer
Pair robbed Paul Tong and left him to die in his house on Willcott Road
Christopher McDonald and Aliysa Ellis
A man and a woman have been found guilty at the Old Bailey of killing and robbing a drug dealer from Acton.
34-year-old Christopher McDonald of Goodwin Road, Croydon was charged with murder and conspiracy to rob and 30-year-old Aliysa Ellis of Loveday Road, Ealing was charged with manslaughter and robbery.
The jury decided that on the night of 19 April 2017 they entered the house of 54-year-old Paul Tong on Willcott Road with the intention of stealing money he had made from his drug dealing activities as well as some Rolex watches he had bought with the proceeds.
It is believed that a dumbbell at the property was used to inflict fatal injuries on Mr Tong who suffered a number of injuries, including fractured ribs and a ruptured liver. Mr Tong was an enthusiastic bodybuilder and was still alive when the McDonald and Ellis left the scene.
His body was found after family members grew concerned and called police the following day.
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 21 April, McDonald searched for “Crimewatch”.
Dumbbell believed to be used as murder weapon
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.
“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."
They will be sentenced at the same court on 3 April.
Willcott Road, Acton. Picture: Google Street View
February 20, 2020