A LIAR who had a problem with older gay men.
That was the charge levelled at murder accused Jack Crawley during a cross examination yesterday.
Prosecution barrister David McLachlan KC called out the 20-year-old for “making it up as you go along” in relation to the death of Paul Taylor from Annan in October 2023.
Crawley, who lived near the scene in Carlisle, yesterday continued to insist it was accidental, saying: “I did not murder Mr Taylor.
“I had no motive and no reason to do something like this.”
He added: “I would not want to do that – kill someone on purpose.
He also tried to explain defensive injuries found on Mr Taylor’s arm, saying: “When I put him in the (car) boot his arm was hanging out, I closed the boot and it hit down on his elbow. It was not a defensive injury.
“I didn’t think to mention it at the time.”
And Mr McLachlan hit back: “This is the first time you mentioned that. This is what you do, try and twist and turn, fit it to the case.”
On both occasions in the witness box, Crawley told how he started taking drugs as a teenager, which led to involvement with a criminal gang from whom he took orders.
But he refused several times to name the gang leaders, saying: “I am not willing to give any names because I am in fear of these people.”
Pressuring him for answers, the KC said: “Do they exist or is this another lie from you?”
Throughout the day, the defendant continued to insist the gang ruled his life.
“I would not have been trying to steal his car if I was not under instruction to steal a car,” Crawley said, adding later: “You can’t refuse. These are not people you say no to.”
However, the barrister said: “I’m suggesting you’re not controlled by anyone – you did what you did and killed a man for no good reason.
“Tell the truth that you just battered a man and the gang stuff is nonsense.”
He denied having a fascination with serial killers or murder, or a “problem with older gay men that go with younger men?”
Of the death, he said: “It’s something I feel very terrible about.
“It was a car theft gone wrong.
“I just wanted to quickly hit him, stun him then jump into his car.”
Then: “I don’t like to think about it too much because I desecrated a man’s body.”
In relation to a bottle of Pentyl poppers found under decking at his home, which bore traces of Paul Taylor’s DNA, the barrister asked if it was “a trophy” he had kept of the killing.
Replying, Crawley said: “I don’t need reminding, it’s permanently etched into my head.”
The trial continues.
