Paul Taylor accused "used Grand Theft Auto text 'code' to hide illegal missions"

Jack Crawley, 20, is on trial accused of the murder of Paul Taylor having previously admitted manslaughter.

The teen killer of Army hero Paul Taylor used Grand Theft Auto phone text “code” to mask illegal missions for crime gangs, a jury heard.

But Jack Crawley’s GTA claims were rubbished by the barrister of another young man accused of helping him to dump Mr Taylor’s car. Crawley, 20, is on trial accused of Mr Taylor’s murder. He admits manslaughter, saying that the married dad-of-two died as he fell and hit his head after being punched during a botched carjack.

Prosecutors allege Crawley — then aged 19 — used a hammer to attack Mr Taylor with at least 10 heavy blows to the head and face. Crawley told jurors he was dealing drugs aged just 13 after running up £5,000 debt with organised crime gang (OCG) members.

Those crooks, he said, ordered him to carry out criminal jobs in the years that followed. On October 17, 2023, Crawley told jurors he was ordered by gang members to break into a barn conversion and steal a cannabis grow. In evidence he spoke of buying fuel and tools for that illegal task.

He also hatched a plan to steal the car of Mr Taylor, whom he lured to the fatal meeting at a secluded spot on Carlisle’s outskirts. Early on October 18, Crawley began messaging fellow hospital security guard Marcus Goodfellow, then also 19.

Crawley texted with reference to the crime video game, saying: “Did the casino heist on GTA. Was so hard. My player nearly died twice but got there in the end. You should come and see all of my cool sh*t later if you get me.”

“I’ll come see,” replied Goodfellow. “I haven’t been on GTA in ages.”

The pair later travelled in Mr Taylor’s car as it was crashed and abandoned in a north Cumbria village on October 19. It’s claimed the GTA messaging was code for Crawley’s links to the criminal underworld, and alleged that Goodfellow was also involved in this illegal activity.

But the prosecution have dismissed these claims as “nonsense”. And, as Goodfellow’s barrister Peter Byrne delivered his closing speech to jurors, he also dismissed that version of events.

There had been an extensive review of Goodfellow’s phone use. And, said Mr Byrne: “There is nothing to support that suggestion.

Goodfellow worked long shifts at night when, said the lawyer, much OCG activity might be expected to take place. “There is not a shred of evidence of involvement (by Crawley) with any organised crime gang, let alone Mr Goodfellow being involved.”

Goodfellow had never met Crawley before April, 2023. There was no evidence of phone chat between the pair before October 18 that year, and no evidence Goodfellow had even responded to a second GTA message.

“There were no missions,” said Mr Byrne. “There was no criminal gang in the background. Jack Crawley has made that up to try and explain his actions towards Mr Taylor and then going on the run afterwards.”

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It was for the prosecution to prove that Goodfellow knew or believed Mr Taylor was dead when he travelled with Crawley in the Corsa. Goodfellow, now also 20, of Greystone Road, Carlisle, denies assisting an offender.

“Anything less than ‘sure’ is not good enough,” Mr Byrne told jurors of their verdicts. “I submit there is no prosecution evidence that Mr Goodfellow knew Mr Taylor had died. Try this case on the evidence and not supposition.”

Crawley also denies attempting to murder a man in a separate alleged hammer attack in York on January 5.

Jurors retired this afternoon (tues) to begin deliberations and consider verdicts. A trial judge asked them to try and reach verdicts on which all 12 members agree.

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