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13
Jun
Harrogate killer was 'a bully' and 'intimidating', court told
A Harrogate killer was described as “intimidating” and a “bully” prior to attacking his victim, a court has heard.
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.
Jamie Hill KC, prosecuting, told the second day of the murder trial at Leeds Crown Court yesterday (June 12) that Watson was described as a bully by a witness to the fatal attack.
Reading a statement from PCSO Danielle Tupling, Mr Hill said the 34-year-old was known to go to Mr Tillet’s flat regularly.
PCSO Tupling said in a written statement that she saw Laura Gwynn outside Tesco Express on Cambridge Road at 6.35pm on September 28.
Ms Gwynn, who died the following month, was present when Mr Tillet was killed. The prosecution intends to show police bodycam footage of Ms Gywnn to the court as part of its evidence.
PCSO Tupling said Ms Gwynn was begging outside Tesco and told the officer that she sometimes stayed at Mr Tillet’s flat.
In her statement, which was read out in court, the officer said:
She stated that when she is at Mr Tillet’s, Watson is sometimes there. She said he is a bully and had targeted his [Mr Tillet’s] flat.
She said he was intimidating and violent. She did not imply he [Mr Tillet] was in danger.
Simon Kealey KC, defending, did not dispute the written statement.
The court had previously been told that Mr Tillet had reported Watson to police on three occasions prior to the attack on September 29.
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.
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