A Londoner, Gerald Matovu, 26, has been sentenced to 31 years in prison for poisoning and killing an American businessman and part-time actor, Eric Michels.
A court in London heard how Matovu would hook up with men via apps such as Grindr. Matovu, who according to the BBC now identifies as a woman, would drug them with GHB and then steal from them.
Related: This new study about GHB use among gay and bi men is truly terrifying
Eric Michels had an uncredited part in the movie Skyfall and also appeared in a small role in World War Z. He was one of 12 men to fall victim to Matovu. However, it was his death which led to police tracking down Matovu.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Besides their own crime spree, Matovu admitted dealing drugs to London serial killer Stephen Port, who was found guilty in 2016 of drugging, raping and killing four young men.
Matovu also involved their then-boyfriend, Brandon Dunbar, in their 19-month crime spree. Dunbar, 24, of Forest Gate, was today sentenced to 18 years for his role in drugging and thieving men.
Matovu met 54-year-old Michels, an executive with energy company SSE, via Grindr in August 2018. CCTV footage captured them in a convenience store before they went to Michels’ home.
Matovu was found guilty of six counts of administering a noxious substance, seven thefts, six counts of having articles for fraud, murder, assault by penetration, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing GBL drugs.
Judge Anne Molyneux QC told Matovu that by the time of Michel’s death, “You had already rendered five men unconscious using [GHB]. You were an experienced poisoner and were aware of the dangers of the drug.
“You knew as far back as 2015 that it could be used to take advantage of others. You knew it could be life-threatening. You are a highly dangerous predator.”
Detective Inspector Mark Richards, of the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime unit, said in a statement: “The pair had a well-rehearsed plan to take advantage of men they met through social networking sites and apps such as Grindr to steal their property.
“This was their overwhelming motive, rather than sexual assault. Matovu was described in evidence as a hustler, a liar and a thief.
“Their method in the majority of cases was to drug their victim with enough GBL to render them unconscious so they could then search their homes, selecting items of interest and photographing bank cards and personal documents for subsequent fraudulent use. They did this at their leisure, sometimes spending hours at an address.”
Related: Grindr Serial Killer Stephen Port Found Guilty In Murders Of Four Gay Men
GHB is commonly known simply as G. A precursor form of the drug, GBL is converted to GHB in the body. It’s popular among some gay men on the party’n’play or chemsex scenes.
Last week, a survey revealed by Buzzfeed revealed insights from around 5,000 GHB users, including 2,700 gay and bisexual men. Almost one in three reported being sexually assaulted while on the drug.
Almost half the respondents knew or suspected they had been given GHB without their knowledge, while 18 percent reported being given a deliberate overdose.
It reported that not only could overdoses be administered orally, but some assailants were overdosing potential victims by mixing G with sexual lubricant.
Bob LaBlah
If I knew any of their victims the first question I would ask would be “honey, when he arrived at your door wasn’t there SOMETHING about Matovu that set off an alarm bell screaming that maybe you should rethink letting him into your house?”. I know, I know, there ol’ Bob goes again criticizing some one’s looks but some how I doubt if I’m the only one who would have asked that question about him.
Curtispsf
The problem is that most people don’t think with the head on their shoulders. Instead, they listen to the head on their peckers and THIS gets SO many people into trouble. Lust trumps common sense.
TheBigOne
Don’t be shy, we know what you really meant.
If he ain’t white, he ain’t right.
gymmuscleboy
@Bob LaBlah It’s not kosher to have concerns about anyone who is a minority. You know the song – “People are all the same”.
Smith David
Welp, it looks like i’m gonna have to start paying professional escorts for sex. Might be safer.
Smith David
@Bob LaBlah…I can understand your thought process here. However, think on this fact, convicted killer Christopher Watts looks like a warm handsome and wholesome man that most would welcome inside with limited reservation. Yet, he killed his wife and strangled his two very young daughters to death. Many monsters today present very well.
MacAdvisor
A “James Bond actor” is someone who has played James Bond, not just been in a Bond movie. An actor in the movie would be an “actor from the James Bond series.”
kamirX
But they can’t get Ed Buck.
Chrisk
You’re seriously effed in the head.
Jerry
You can just look at him and see he is not good, I’d never let someone that looked like that in my home, hotel, etc.
irbaboon
He looks doable in a sullen sort of way
Cam
I get that they want the clicks. But “James Bond Actor” was pushing it a little wasn’t it? lol