Bodybuilder Paul Tong battered to death with his weights

Christopher McDonald and Aliysa Ellis

A man and a woman who killed and robbed a drug dealer from Acton have been jailed at the Old Bailey this Monday (6 July).

36-year-old Christopher McDonald from Croydon and 31-year-old Aliysa Ellis of Loveday Road, Ealing had been found guilty in February but sentencing was delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

McDonald was jailed for life for murder to serve a minimum of 32 years, and 16 years for robbery. Ellis was jailed for 13 years for manslaughter and 13 years for conspiracy to rob. All sentences are to run concurrently.

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.

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 to a house in Willcott Road the following day.

Dumbbell believed to be used as murder weapon

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”.

Ellis was arrested on 3 May 2017 and McDonald was arrested on 12 May 2017. They were both charged on 12 January 2018.

Willcott Road, Acton. Picture: Google Street View

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 today’s result can now start to bring some closure to Paul’s family so they can move forward."

July 6, 2020