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03
Oct
'Despicable' and 'sadistic': Harrogate murderer Philip Watson is sentenced
Police have described a Harrogate murderer as “despicable” and “dangerous” after he was handed a lengthy prison sentence today.
Philip Watson, 35, brutally tortured and murdered Paul Tillett, 56, in the victim's second floor flat on Strawberry Dale in Harrogate on September 29 last year.
He bound and gagged Mr Tillett before kicking, punching and stamping on him and setting fire to his hair with a “makeshift flamethrower”. In a last act of indignity, Watson carved a “W” into Mr Tillett’s head.
Mr Justice Hilliard sentenced Watson to life in prison with a minimum term of 31 years at Leeds Crown Court today (October 3).
In a statement following sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Tim Bentley, senior investigating officer at North Yorkshire Police, said:
This is a tragic case which sadly resulted in the death of Paul Tillett and our thoughts remain with Paul’s family and friends.
Last September, Paul was callously murdered by Philip Watson in the most horrific circumstances. It’s hard to comprehend how anyone could carry out such a despicable, ruthless act.
Thankfully incidents of this nature are extremely rare in Harrogate. Watson is a dangerous man so I’m grateful to see the long custodial sentence handed down today. I hope it can bring some sense of closure for Paul’s family.
'Sadistic conduct'
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Hilliard said Watson “took pleasure in humiliating others and making them suffer”.
He told the court a "major determinate" in the case was Watson's prolonged use of cannabis and cocaine, which "would have inhibited his behaviour".
However, the judge said Watson "was aware of the nature of his actions" and "knew what he was doing was wrong".
He added the killer had a “great deal of enthusiasm” towards inflicting pain, suffering and humiliation on Mr Tilllett, and said any reasonable person would view the murder as “sadistic conduct”.
Mr Justice Hilliard also believed Watson's motive was “exacting revenge” against Mr Tillett after he reported him to the police.
Watson was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 31 years and 108 days.
The 366 days he has already spent on remand were deducted from his sentence. He also received a small reduction for his guilty plea.
Fatal attack
A known drug addict, Watson would invite himself into Mr Tillett’s flat at 8 Strawberry Dale along with other drug users to smoke crack cocaine and drink.
Crime scene investigation van on Strawberry Dale
Mr Tillett, who was described in court as “well liked” and “vulnerable”, had told police on one occasion that Watson was often “aggressive” towards him but he did not know why.
In fact, the 56-year-old had reported his killer three times to police before his death on September 29, 2024.
During the fatal attack, Watson repeatedly called Mr Tillett a “grass”.
The prosecution during the court case in June said he was “motivated by anger” because Mr Tillett had reported him to the police.
The Stray Ferret covered Watson’s case extensively earlier this year, including a profile of the twisted killer which you can read here.
Look for more coverage of this case soon on the Stray Ferret.
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