A man denies murdering a 52-year-old man with an overdose of chemsex drug GBL, a court heard.
Gerald Matovu, 25, is accused of the murder of Eric Michels who was found dead at his home in Chessington, south west London, on August 17 of last year.
Tests revealed that Mr Michels died as a result of acute intoxication by the Class C drug GBL.
Matovu appeared in custody Old Bailey via video link wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit alongside Brandon Dunbar, 23, whose case was only formally joined to Matovu’s today.
They appeared to be laughing together as the video link went live and Matovu cheerfully said: “hello” when the clerk informed them the judge had entered the courtroom.
Matovu also denied possessing GBL with intent to supply.
Dunbar is not charged with the murder but denied fraud by using Mr Michel’s card to buy an Xbox on August 19 and a day later fraud by accepting a £300 transfer from the dead man’s account to his own.
He also denies a further fraud when he was accused of using Mr Michel’s card to buy GBL on October 11.
The pair further deny administering GBL without consent to another man, sexually assaulting him with a needle, assaulting him occasioning actual bodily harm and stealing his belongings including his phone and Oyster card on August 20 – two days after the alleged murder.
Matovu also denied fraud by using a credit card belonging to Torsten Krebs to buy GBL on July 7, and both denied stealing the iPhone of Peter Clerkin on July 25.
Matovu, of Borough, south east London, and Dunbar of Ilford, east London, were remanded in custody and will next appear on March 15 at Old Bailey.
By Adela Whittingham