Warning: this article contains details some people may find upsetting.

A trial into the alleged murder of a man in Harrogate opened this morning.

Jason Johnson, 27, denies murdering Paul Tillet at a flat on Strawberry Dale on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Another man, Philip Watson, 34, had already pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing.

Leeds Crown Court was told this morning (June 11) that Mr Tillet, 56, was found bound and gagged on the floor of his flat under a sleeping bag by police.

Opening the prosecution’s case, Jamie Hill KC said the 56-year-old had been subjected to a “prolonged and persistent” attack which had “elements of torture”.

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.

He said:

The court heard that during the attack, Watson kicked and punched Mr Tillet in the head, stamped on him and tied him up by the wrists and ankles. He also burned him with an aerosol can which acted like a “flamethrower”.

The prosecution added that Mr Tillet was also choked with a ligature and suffocated with a cushion on his head.

Both Mr Johnson and Watson were arrested on September 30, 2024.

Police interviewed Mr Johnson twice under caution, where he gave no reply to questions.

However, the court heard that the defendant gave a prepared statement to officers.

In the statement, 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.

Mr Hill told the jury that the prosecution would present police bodycam footage, CCTV, witnesses and written statements as evidence during Mr Johnson’s trial.

He added that evidence would be presented from Laura Gwynn, who was present at the attack but has since died, via police footage.

The trial continues.