A security worker accused of murdering a Scottish dad in Carlisle reportedly listened to a song called ‘Romantic Homicide’ and purchased charcoal and lighters on the day of the killing. Paul Taylor, 56, went missing from his home in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, just before midnight on October 17. His remains were discovered seven months later in a shallow grave near Carlisle. Jack Ryan Crawley, 20, is facing trial for the alleged murder of Mr. Taylor and also for attempting to murder another man outside York. Marcus Goodfellow, also 20, is charged with assisting an offender.
During the trial, it was claimed that Crawley confessed to killing Taylor, but denies murder, stating it was the result of a botched robbery. Goodfellow allegedly helped Crawley dispose of Taylor’s car post the killing. The court heard about Taylor’s secret sexual encounters with men, arranged through dating apps like Grindr. On the evening of his disappearance, Taylor visited a meeting spot for gay men between Brampton and Carlisle before going home. CCTV footage showed his car leaving Annan and heading towards Carlisle, with his phone last pinging in west Carlisle.
Prosecutors stated that Crawley purchased charcoal and lighters, which were later used to burn Taylor’s body, while listening to the ‘Romantic Homicide’ song twice that evening. Crawley and Goodfellow were seen together disposing of Taylor’s car, with Goodfellow allegedly aiding in the process. Crawley admitted to the killing months after Taylor’s skeletal remains were found. In a separate incident, Crawley was allegedly involved in an attempted murder while on bail for Taylor’s case. Goodfellow denied knowledge of Crawley’s alleged criminal acts.
The prosecution detailed how Crawley and Goodfellow were seen together before and after the murder, with Crawley researching job opportunities abroad after the incidents. Crawley denied involvement in Taylor’s death during police interviews initially. Goodfellow, in his interviews, denied awareness of Crawley’s alleged crimes. Crawley later confessed to “unlawfully killing” Taylor, entering a manslaughter plea in court. The jury also heard about the attempted murder outside York in January after Crawley’s initial arrest in Taylor’s case.