A Croydon psychologist has been jailed for at least 32 years after bludgeoning his victim to death with a barbell to steal his Rolex watch.

Christopher McDonald, who gained a first class degree in psychology, had been on life licence for public protection when he killed Paul Tong.

Mr Tong, 54, known as Yankee, was attacked by McDonald with an exercise weight at his home in Ealing, west London, on April 19 2017.

His body was found the next day partially covered by bedding at a "contorted and unnatural angle" and his room had been ransacked.

All that remained in the father-of-one's bedroom was an empty Rolex box with co-defendant Aliysa Ellis's fingerprint inside it, the Old Bailey was told.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Tong, who was of "muscular build", had cuts and bruises on his head and body, broken ribs and a ruptured liver from "blunt impacts".

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Aliysa Ellis

Following a trial at the Old Bailey, McDonald, 35, was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to rob.

On Monday, he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 32 years.

His co-defendant, criminology Masters degree student Aliysa Ellis, a bipolar friend of Mr Tong, was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

Ellis, 31, from Ealing, was jailed for 13 years by Judge John Hillen.

Detective Sergeant Lee Tullett, of Scotland Yard, 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."