Family pay tribute to ‘gentle and loving’ father Paul Taylor after man found guilty of murder

A man has been found guilty of murdering a ‘gentle and loving’ father who went missing from his home in Dumfries and Galloway last year.

Paul Taylor was reported missing after leaving his home in Annan on October 17, 2023.

The 56-year-old’s car was later found abandoned in Langwaythby, Cumbria.

Jack Crawley was found guilty of murder after a two-week trial at Carlisle Crown Court.

The 20-year-old was also found guilty of attempted murder following an incident in North Yorkshire in January 2024.

Mr Taylor was killed after being attacked by Crawley, who later led police to his remains.

In a statement released following the verdict, Taylor’s family said their lives and worlds have been “torn apart.”

They said: “To us he was a husband and a father, gentle and loving.

“Paul worked for years to protect his country, giving up time to be a husband and father. Now it was time for us to be that family unit, and we mourn the loss of that and our future.

“The loss of Paul in these circumstances and the anguish and pain this has caused is devastating and indescribable.

“Paul will be greatly missed and will always be in our thoughts.”

Speaking after the verdict, Chief Inspector Ian Hussey said: “Paul was tragically killed after being attacked by Jack Crawley. He was a much loved father, husband, brother and friend who I know will be missed by many.

Cumbria Police

“Crawley refused to admit to Paul’s brutal murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter, claiming his death was the result of a car theft gone wrong, but after a jury heard the evidence gathered against him they found him guilty of murder.

“I would like to thank the jurors who listened attentively and considered all the evidence presented to them surrounding this shocking incident.

“I would also like to thank our colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service and prosecutor David McLachlan KC and Will Beardmore for the way the case was prepared and delivered to trial.

“I must also take this opportunity to thank and commend the dedicated team of officers and staff at Cumbria Police who have worked around the clock on this investigation for months. They have shown great skill and professionalism throughout.

“Part of the investigation also saw us working closely with our colleagues from North Yorkshire Police, who led the manhunt to locate Crawley after he fled Cumbria. I would like to commend our colleagues in North Yorkshire for their excellent work in this complex case, which has helped us deliver justice for the victims of Jack Crawly and their families.

“Finally, I would like to pay tribute to Paul’s family. They have been worthy throughout the investigation and our thoughts remain with them all.

“We know that no outcome at court will ever come as comfort to Paul’s family and friends, but I do hope that today’s verdict will provide them with some closure knowing that we have brought Crawley to justice. ”

Chief Inspector Jonathan Sygrove, head of the Major, Serious and Organized Crime Branch, led the investigation for North Yorkshire Police.

He described the investigation, which spanned several provinces, as “large and complex”.

Police began their investigation into the attempted murder after receiving reports of a serious attack near York on January 5.

“Crawley was our suspect from the beginning,” Detective Sygrove said.

“As our investigation progressed and through accelerated DNA evidence, it became clear to us that this was more than an attack – it was an attempted murder.

“This investigation was extensive and led by senior detectives and a specialist large investigative team. But it was also by working with other police forces, particularly Cumbria Constabulary, and sharing information across the country, that Crawley was identified using mobile fingerprint technology and arrested in Somerset.

“While my colleagues in Cumbria have praised the dignity of Mr Taylor’s family during this terrible ordeal, I would also like to acknowledge the actions of the victim from North Yorkshire, who had the courage to come forward after he was attacked. I hope today’s verdict brings some closure for him and all the others whose lives were forever changed by Jack Crawley.”

Crawley denied the charges against him and will be sentenced on October 23.

Katie Marsden, chief prosecutor at CPS North West, said: “Jack Crawley carried out vicious attacks on two men.

“The Crown Prosecution Service worked with Cumbria Constabulary and North Yorkshire Police to build a strong case, piecing together forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone location data to show that Crawley murdered and attempted to murder Paul Taylor to kill a second man.

“My thoughts remain with Paul Taylor’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time. I can only hope that the verdict will give them a sense of justice.”

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