A killer struck up contact with Paul Taylor more than 10 months before the army veteran’s disappearance and death, a jury has heard.
Mr Taylor, who served his country abroad, was last seen by his wife, Maria, at their family home on the night of October 17 2023 — nine days before his 57th birthday.
His disappearance sparked a murder probe. In May this year, Mr Taylor’s skeletal remains were found in a shallow grave in woodland west of Carlisle close to an area of scorched ground.
Jack Crawley, now aged 20, was quizzed several time and led police to the body. Crawley is on trial at the city’s crown court. He admits manslaughter and the unlawful killing of Cumberland Infirmary catering manager Mr Taylor but denies his murder.
As evidence began in the trial this morning, the jury was taken through a detailed timeline of events featuring phone contact, maps, CCTV stills and video footage from the hours, days, weeks and months before Mr Taylor’s death.
These included single text messages of unknown content sent by Mr Taylor to Crawley on both December 15 and December 26 2022.
On July 17 2023, Crawley — using the name Jamie — then contacted Mr Taylor through the Grindr dating app. “Hi it’s me sorry couldn’t meet my dad wouldn’t let me leave and was checking my phone,” he saod.
Mr Taylor replied “ok”, then “it’s cool thought something to do with that” and finally “talk on WhatsApp it’s easier”.
One of three phones used by Mr Taylor — his personal device — was never recovered, jurors heard. A different phone recovered from his car had Crawley’s number as a contact stored under a different name which had been deleted.
Evidence from two phones seized by Crawley showed Mr Taylor’s number as a deleted contact.
Once in June and twice in September, Mr Taylor made purchases of poppers from a Carlisle shop.
Statements were read to jurors from two men who shared sexual encounters with Mr Taylor. “Paul was a nice and gentle guy. I got the impression he wasn’t happy, and living a confusing life,” said one.
The court has heard Mr Taylor’s family were unaware of his sexual interest in men.
Opening the case yesterday, prosecutor David McLachlan KC alleged Crawley had killed Mr Taylor in a premeditated and planned attack in which severe violence was meted out.
Crawley, Mr McLachlan alleged, had murder on his mind after listening to a song called Romantic Homicide on the night that Mr Taylor was last seen. Lyrics included the words: “In the back of my mind I killed you, and I didn’t even regret it. I can’t believe I said it but it’s true, I hate you.”
Earlier in October, Crawley had bought two packets of winter essential clothing, each containing a black beanie, neck warmer and gloves from a tool store.
Hours before Mr Taylor’s disappearance, Crawley purchased charcoal and a lighter from a Carlisle shop.
Jurors have also seen CCTV footage showing the final movements of Mr Taylor in his car, a blue Vauxhall Corsa, just before midnight on October 17.
When initially interviewed by police, Crawley denied any involvement in Mr Taylor’s death, and also said at first that he did not know him.
Crawley, of Sheehan Crescent, Carlisle, further denies the attempted murder of a second man several months later during a sexual liaison in Yorkshire. He was attacked with a hammer.
A second man on trial, 20-year-old Marcus Goodfellow, of Greystone Road, Carlisle, denies assisting an offender by allegedly helping to dispose of Mr Taylor’s vehicle. The Corsa was found in the village of Langwathby, near Penrith, on October 19, where it had been crashed.
The trial, which is expected to last several weeks, continues.
