In a gripping courtroom testimony, 20-year-old Jack Crawley from Carlisle has recounted the harrowing events surrounding the death of army veteran Paul Taylor, a case for which he faces murder charges while admitting to manslaughter. Crawley claims the incident arose from a botched carjacking.

During his appearance at Carlisle Crown Court, Crawley expressed the overwhelming pressure he felt from his drug debts, which drove him to steal a vehicle. He disclosed a complicated history with Mr. Taylor, noting that he had previously sold drugs to him and even engaged in sexual relations. “I decided to target him,” Crawley explained, revealing the reasoning behind his choices.

Crawley described how their interaction quickly spiraled out of control. He recounted that after striking Mr. Taylor, he “tripped over his own feet,” resulting in a serious head injury. The skeletal remains of Mr. Taylor were ultimately found in woods near Carlisle on May 1, nearly six months after his wife reported him missing. A pathologist determined he had suffered at least ten blows to the skull, and injuries to his left elbow suggested he might have been trying to defend himself.

Reflecting on his early struggles, Crawley shared that he fell into the wrong crowd at just 13 years old, accumulating over £5,000 in drug-related debt by the age of 15. He spoke about how criminals coerced him into committing various offenses, including thefts of cash, drugs, and vehicles.

A pivotal moment came in October 2023 when Crawley claimed he was ordered to infiltrate and rob a cannabis farm. During this time, he mentioned that Mr. Taylor had been repeatedly messaging him, trying to arrange a meeting. “That’s when I got the idea to take his car,” he recalled.

On the night of their fateful encounter, Crawley messaged Mr. Taylor suggesting they meet for drugs and potential sexual activities. When they convened in a secluded area, the situation turned violent. Crawley admitted, “I punched him in the face. He fell to the ground.” He described the ensuing chaos, where Mr. Taylor, despite being injured, managed to grab him, leading to a struggle that resulted in fatal injuries for Mr. Taylor.

Realizing Mr. Taylor had lost consciousness, Crawley confessed to fleeing the scene, only to circle back, enter Mr. Taylor’s car, and drive erratically into nearby woods. “I set his body on fire. I thought it would disappear,” he acknowledged. He took drastic actions, including using a mallet hammer in an effort to destroy evidence. After the fire died down, he moved Mr. Taylor’s remains to a more concealed location and eventually led authorities to the spot months later.

In addition to the current murder case, Crawley is also contesting an unrelated charge of attempting to kill another man during a sexual encounter in York on January 5, after being released on bail. When asked if he had a claw hammer during his meeting with Mr. Taylor, Crawley answered a firm “no.” As the trial proceeds, the courtroom remains tense as more details continue to emerge.