An army veteran was brutally beaten to death and his body discarded in a shallow grave by a man he met on Grindr, a court heard. Paul Taylor, 56, was found covered in branches in Cumbria seven months after his wife Maria last saw him alive at their Annan, Scotland home in October 2023.
Jack Crawley, 20, has confessed to killing the father-of-two but denies murder, the court was told. The two connected in Carlisle via the gay dating app before Crawley ‘completely smashed in’ Taylor’s head, according to evidence presented at Carlisle Crown Court.
Forensic anthropologist Linda Ainscough testified about the severe blunt force injuries to Taylor’s head, noting the extensive fragmentation of his skull and lower jaw. Jurors viewed images of Taylor’s remains, which showed his lower left leg and part of his left arm had been detached from his body.
The court heard that Crawley had listened to a song called Romantic Homicide and had ‘murder on his mind’ prior to the killing. Crawley later led detectives to Taylor’s body in a hollow in Finglandrigg Wood, west of Carlisle. The remains were concealed with two bent saplings to obstruct access.
Susan Woodland, the reserve’s manager, discovered a burn site with charred clothing near the grave while visiting with primary school children. Maria Taylor said her husband ‘literally vanished into thin air’ after he left their home while she was asleep. She was unaware of his sexual interest in men and his use of Grindr.
Prosecutor David McLachlan stated that Crawley had admitted to manslaughter and claimed he tried to steal Taylor’s car after their meeting in Carlisle. McLachlan argued that the crime was premeditated, describing it as a violent and deliberate act rather than a bungled robbery.
During the period Taylor was missing, Crawley was seen in an ‘obviously fake wig and beard’ on December 31. He was captured on CCTV at a Premier Inn in Penrith, where his behaviour made a hotel worker uncomfortable enough to claim the hotel was full. Around 8 am on January 1, Crawley visited Penrith train station, adopting a fake accent.
Employee Jenny Chapman testified: ‘The first thing that struck me was the obviously fake wig and beard. The beard resembled that of the character Hagrid in Harry Potter. He was clearly putting on a fake Eastern European accent.’ ‘He said, “I need a — how you say — ticket,” and I remember thinking why was he putting on a fake accent as he clearly had a local accent.’
The trial is ongoing.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Metro reports a tragic incident where a father-of-two was fatally attacked by a man he met on Grindr, highlighting the risks of dating apps and the need for greater safety measures.
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- Metro reports on the tragic death of a father-of-two who was fatally injured by a man he met on Grindr in Carlisle, highlighting the senseless violence and the ongoing police investigation.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was the army veteran that was beaten to death?
Paul Taylor, a 56-year-old army veteran, was the victim.
How did Paul Taylor meet his killer?
Paul Taylor met Jack Crawley on the gay dating app Grindr.
What did the forensic anthropologist say about Paul Taylor’s injuries?
Paul Taylor suffered blunt force traumatic injuries to the head, causing extensive bone fragmentation.
What was found near Paul Taylor’s grave site?
A burn site with charred clothing was found near the grave site.
How did Jack Crawley behave after the killing?
He wore an obviously fake wig and beard and put on a fake accent.