Lewis Benjamin, 30, of Waddon New Road, Croydon, and Jamal Ali-Richards, 29, of Thornlaw Road, Norwood were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court today (April 10).
It comes after an eight-week-trial linked to the death of Justin Henry, who was reported missing in October 2023.
The court heard how Benjamin and Ali-Richards were discarding the body of the 34-year-old and attempting to clean up evidence of his death whilst he was listed as a missing person after failing to return home.
Justin was last seen alive at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Croydon on October 15, 2023, before driving to Waddon New Road where Benjamin lived.
Justin is believed to have died by the time of the vehicle moving.
Benjamin was noted as a suspect as a result of the location of the car, alongside his friend Ali-Richards.
Inside his address, police discovered the majority of furniture had been removed and the carpet ripped up.
The court heard how the flat had appeared to have been recently deep-cleaned, prompting the property to be declared as a crime scene.
Forensics officers located small spatters of blood on the walls and black plastic bags with heavily blood soaked carpet less than 100 metres away.
This blood was tested against that found inside the flat and was matched to Justin’s.
Benjamin was arrested on October 24, 2023, after he ran into his back garden and threw away his phone.
In interview, he refused to answer questions and was charged the following day with murder.
On October 27, 2023, Ali-Richards handed himself into police and was charged with murder on October 29.
Justin’s body was located in the boot of a car bought by the defendants that had been bought in the days after Justin’s death and parked in Dale Road, Purley with false licence plates on.
Both men pleaded not guilty to murder, but pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice this year.
They will appear at Woolwich Crown Court on June 10 for sentencing.
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“Today’s verdict is testament to the painstaking efforts of the investigation team. Benjamin and Ali-Richards went to great lengths to dispose of evidence and cover their tracks, which included significant attempts to dispose of Justin’s body. Despite these efforts, the team worked tirelessly to piece together the evidence and establish the facts.
“The loss of Justin continues to have a long lasting and devastating impact on his family and friends.
“Throughout the investigation and trial, the strength and resilience shown by them has been extraordinary. I hope that today’s verdict will provide an opportunity for them to begin rebuilding their lives.”
