Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
17
Jun
Harrogate killer was a 'psychopath' who should not be on the streets, court told
Warning: this article contains details some people may find upsetting.
A Harrogate killer was described in court as a “psychopath” who “should not be on the streets”.
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 trial at Leeds Crown Court on Monday (June 16) was played police bodycam footage of Laura Gwynn, who was present at the fatal attack.
The footage was recorded by PC Mark Foster, a North Yorkshire Police officer based in Harrogate.
PC Foster interviewed Miss Gwynn at around midnight at an address on Bramham Drive, where she and other witnesses went after calling the emergency services to the incident on Strawberry Dale.
Miss Gwynn, who died in October 2024, told the officer that Mr Tillet had been “tortured” by Watson.
She said Watson called the 56-year-old “a grass” and tied him up.
Miss Gwynn told PC Foster that Watson used clippers to cut the victim’s nose and one of his ears. She added that Mr Tillet’s head was “three times its size” because he had been kicked.
The court heard that Watson used an aerosol as “a flamethrower”, which left the victim’s head “bubbling”. Watson also carved a "W" into Mr Tillet's head, Miss Gwynn said in the footage.
Miss Gwynn told PC Foster in the interview:
If you let that man out on the streets, he will do it again. He had no emotion.
She added:
He is a psychopath. He should not be on the streets.
PC Foster asked Miss Gywnn whether it was Watson or Mr Johnson who carried out the attack.
She said Watson “did most of it”, but Mr Johnson was “egging” the 34-year-old on.
Both Mr Johnson and Watson were arrested on September 30, 2024.
Mr Johnson has denied murder.
Distress and fear
Under cross examination, Simon Kealey KC, defending, asked PC Foster how Miss Gwynn’s condition was.
The officer told the court that she was in “distress and fear” of Watson. He added that at times she was “inaudible" and that he had to ask her to repeat herself.
PC Foster said Miss Gwynn was “distraught” and paced up and down the property. He said she “became worse as time went on”.
Mr Kealey asked the officer whether there was drug use while police were at the property. He said he suspected there was.
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.
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.
0