A witness in a Harrogate murder trial has described how the killer had threatened him prior to a fatal attack on a man in his own flat.

Philip Watson, 34, has admitted murdering Paul Tillet, 56, at Mr Tillet's home on Strawberry Dale in September 2024.

However, his co-accused, Jason Johnson, 27, has denied encouraging Watson to kill the 56-year-old.

Mr Tillet was found bound and gagged on the floor of his flat under a sleeping bag by police on September 29.

A witness told a trial at Leeds Crown Court on Friday (June 13) that Watson had previously threatened him.

Ian Towers, who knew Mr Tillet for about seven years, told the court that he was aware of Watson but “tried to keep out of his way”.

Mr Towers said that the 34-year-old had once told him that he had “three days to live” and that he was “going to cut me up”.

Jamie Hill KC, prosecuting, asked Mr Towers where he was on the night of September 29, 2024.

Mr Towers said he was at a friend's house in Knaresborough when he received a call from Natasha Simpson, who he was in a relationship with.

He said Miss Simpson had told him that she was with Laura Gwynn, who had been in Mr Tillet’s flat during the attack, and that the 56-year-old was dead.

Mr Towers told the court that he got into a car with Miss Simpson and Miss Gwynn, where he was told that “Watto and Jason” had tortured Mr Tillet in his flat.

He said:

Mr Towers added that he was in the car for both calls to the emergency services, which were made by Miss Simpson.

Cross examination

Simon Kealey KC, defending, asked Mr Towers about his statement to the police at 2am on September 30.

Officers visited Mr Towers at his house in Harrogate some hours after Mr Tillet’s body had been found, the court heard.

Mr Kealey pointed out that in the officer’s notebook from September 30, Mr Tower’s made no mention of Mr Johnson when he gave an interview about the incident.

The defence said that the notebook stated that the incident “involved Philip Watson and Paul Tillet”.

Meanwhile, Mr Kealey asked Mr Towers what he, Miss Gwynn and Miss Simpson had been doing in the car while parked near Mr Tillet’s flat.

Mr Towers said they had been smoking crack cocaine. The defence asked him if he felt that may impact his memory. He replied: “No”.

Mr Kealey also asked Mr Towers if he had smoked crack cocaine earlier in the evening. Mr Towers said he had not.

Man denies murder

Earlier in the trial, Mr Hill told the court that it was the prosecution’s case that Watson was the “main offender” and carried out most of the attack.

However, he said Mr Johnson encouraged Watson to murder Mr Tillet. Mr Johnson denies murder.

In a statement during police interview, Mr Johnson accepted he was present at the attack in Mr Tillet’s flat. However, he said “at no point” did he come into physical contact with Mr Tillet and that he considered the victim a friend.

The trial continues.