A "CALLOUS" couple have been found guilty of murdering a dance champion after meeting him on a dating app and poisoning him with "Devil's Breath".

Joel Osei, 25, and his partner, Diana Cristea, 19, used profiles on Grindr to befriend men as part of a scheme to drug and rob them.

They were both arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of Adrian Murphy was found in a 17th floor flat in Battersea, South West London, on June 4, 2019.

The pair then used Adrian's details to try to buy £62,000 worth of diamonds from a jeweller in New York.

And they stole a number of valuables from the flat including laptops, phones, bank cards, a designer bag and clothes.

On June 2, Cristea's phone was used to take pictures of the stolen items and post them for sale online.

They also used one of Adrian's cards to spend £2,303 on computer software.

Paramedics attended to another man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, several days earlier after he was also drugged and robbed by Osei, Croydon Crown Court heard.

Both Osei and Cristea were also accused of one count of administering a poison or noxious substance so as to endanger life, two counts of theft and eight counts of fraud.

The jury returned a majority verdict on all counts for both defendants on Friday.

Osei admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder.

He also pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of administering poison, with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy, and seven counts of fraud.

He denied two counts of theft.

'POPULAR WITH ROBBERS AND RAPISTS'

Cristea admitted one count of fraud and two counts of handling stolen goods, but was also convicted on all counts.

Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC told the court the drug scopolamine is known as "Devil's breath" in Colombia and is said to be "popular with robbers and rapists" to incapacitate their victims.

Scopolamine was detected in an empty drink can discarded in the flat where Adrian was found.

Following the verdict, Mr Murphy's brother, Robert Murphy, paid tribute to the "inspirational Irishman" and said his death had "left a huge void" within the family.

"The world is full of sameness, but this could not be said of our brother Adrian," he said in a statement.

"Adrian brought the love and art of dance to thousands of young people all over the world.

"He made so many loyal friends who are so sad at his untimely passing as he was an inspirational Irishman, who was a gifted dancer and choreographer.

"Our family is heartbroken that Adrian is no longer with us.

'DANCING AMONGST THE STARS'

"He has left a huge void within our family and the fact we can no longer see or hear from him makes his absence felt all the more.

"Adrian's legacy is that of a hero and hopefully his tragic death has stopped this happening to any other innocent victim.

"He is now dancing amongst the stars. May he rest in peace."

Detective Chief Inspector Robert Pack, the senior investigating officer, said: “This marks the end of a long and complex investigation.

"We have worked closely with a whole host of partners in the charity sector and LGBT+ community to help us with our understanding of the complexities of this case and reassure those who may have been affected by these incidents.

"We want to make sure that anyone who may have suffered the same way knows how to get help and what support is out there.

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“I would like to thank Adrian’s family, some of whom have travelled from Ireland for this trial, for their bravery, assistance and support throughout the course of this investigation.

"My thoughts remain entirely with them as they continue to come to terms with the loss of their loved one.”

They are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on December 14.

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