A 27-year-old man has been convicted of the brutal murder of Jamie Gilbey, 20, in Croydon following a nine-week trial at the Old Bailey. The case, described by detectives as “horrendous,” concluded with a unanimous verdict against Dajour Jones, who was also found to have dismembered Jamie’s body and concealed it in a nearby park.
The Crime
Both Jones and Jamie were residents of the same supported housing accommodation in Upper Norwood. On the evening of Thursday, 27 January 2022, Jones lured Jamie to his room, where he subjected him to a prolonged and violent attack. Jamie was beaten, stabbed multiple times, and fatally injured.
CCTV footage revealed the pair leaving the address together at approximately 5:30 p.m., only to return by 6:10 p.m., after which the attack took place in Jones’ room.
In the days that followed, Jones dismembered Jamie’s body, purchased a large purple suitcase, and made several trips to South Norwood Country Park to dispose of the remains in black bags, hidden in dense undergrowth.
Discovery and Investigation
On Sunday, 27 February, officers conducting routine patrols in South Norwood Country Park found a purple suitcase in the undergrowth near Love Lane. Inside, they discovered bloodstained clothing belonging to both Jamie and Jones. Forensic tests confirmed Jamie’s identity, prompting police to inform his family of their fears that he had been killed.
Further searches of the park led to the recovery of Jamie’s remains on 8 March, in South Norwood Lake and grounds—just two miles from the suitcase’s location and a few hundred yards from the hostel.
Jamie had been reported missing on 30 January by hostel staff. Local police initially handled the case, but after failing to find any evidence of Jamie being alive, it was passed to a murder investigation team.
Detectives uncovered CCTV footage showing Jamie and Jones returning to the hostel on the night of the murder. A search of Jones’ room revealed traces of Jamie’s blood and bottles of cleaning fluid, which were used in an attempt to conceal evidence.
Footage also captured Jones leaving the hostel with the purple suitcase multiple times in the following days. Detectives believe Jamie’s remains were transported during the first two trips.
Arrest and Trial
Jones was arrested on 3 March, before Jamie’s body was discovered. When questioned, Jones refused to reveal any details about Jamie’s death or the location of his body. Upon being charged, he responded chillingly: “Ah. Cool.”
The trial revealed that Jones had asked staff at the hostel earlier that day what would happen if a fight occurred in his room, suggesting premeditation.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Nolan, who led the investigation, called the crime “truly horrendous” and described Jones as a “very dangerous man.” He said, “For reasons known only to Jones, he lured Jamie to his room intending to kill him or cause serious harm. He then subjected Jamie to an extremely violent and sustained attack.”
Sentencing
Jones, who has no fixed address, will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 13 December. Jamie’s family continues to mourn the loss of a “vulnerable young man” taken in such violent and harrowing circumstances.
