A hospital security worker is currently on trial, facing accusations of murdering a Scottish father in Carlisle. Paul Taylor, aged 56, went missing from his home in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, just before midnight on October 17. Following his disappearance, a search operation was launched when his blue Vauxhall Corsa was found in Langwathby, Cumbria, two days later. Almost seven months later, on May 2, his remains were discovered in a shallow grave in the Finglandrigg Wood area near Carlisle.
Jack Crawley, aged 20, has denied allegations of murdering Paul Taylor on October 18, 2023. He has also denied the charge of attempting to murder an individual in York several weeks later, where he reportedly attacked the person with a hammer on January 4. Additionally, Marcus Goodfellow, also 20 years old, is also on trial, facing allegations of assisting an offender. The prosecution, led by David McLachlan KC, outlined that Goodfellow is accused of aiding Crawley in disposing of a Vauxhall Corsa car between October 17 and October 20, 2023.
Paul Taylor was last seen alive by his wife on the evening of October 17, around 9.30pm. Subsequently, he left in his car and crossed the border into England, never returning home. His night clothes were discovered in the kitchen the next morning, and he did not show up for work at The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, where he was employed as a catering manager. Surveillance captured his car in Carlisle on the night of his disappearance, before the vehicle was subsequently found abandoned in Langwathby.
The court heard that Paul Taylor had undisclosed interests in men, engaging in activities with them in the Carlisle area via platforms like Grindr and FabGuys. Evidence pointed towards a connection between Taylor and Crawley. Notably, Crawley informed the police through his solicitors about the location of Paul Taylor’s body on May 1, leading to the recovery of Taylor’s remains from Finglandrigg Wood. Following this, Crawley admitted to ‘unlawfully killing’ Taylor, entering a guilty plea to the charge of manslaughter.
The prosecution disputes Crawley’s claim that the killing resulted from a botched car robbery, alleging that it was a premeditated murder. Goodfellow is accused of aiding in the disposal of Taylor’s car. Further details emerged regarding a separate incident in York on January 4, where Crawley purportedly attacked another man with a hammer after meeting through Grindr, claiming self-defence due to a knife threat. Prosecutors argue that this was a premeditated attempt to kill.
When Crawley was detained on November 15, he was found with various items, including clothing, charcoal, and rubber gloves, citing their necessity for his hospital security job. The trial is set to last three weeks and four days, with live evidence scheduled to begin the following day. Stay updated with the latest developments both in Scotland and abroad by subscribing to our daily newsletter.