Man's burnt body dragged to shallow grave

Paul Taylor was found in woodland near Carlisle

An army veteran's body was burnt before being dragged into a shallow grave, a court has heard.

Jack Crawley, 20, of Carlisle, Cumbria, had admitted the manslaughter and unlawful killing of Paul Taylor but is standing trial at the city's crown court having denied his murder.

Mr Taylor, 56, from Annan in Dumfries and Galloway, went missing in October 2023 and his remains were found at Finlandrigg woods, west of Carlisle, in May.

Forensic expert Linda Ainscough told the jury Mr Taylor had suffered "at least 10 wounds to his skull" and that in her opinion bones in his arm had been separated before being burnt.

The fourth day of Crawley’s trial on Monday heard forensic scientists found a burn site and charring to some of Mr Taylor’s bones which had been placed in a shallow hollow beneath branches.

The jury was also read answers given in police interviews by Marcus Goodfellow, 20, of Carlisle, who denies assisting Crawley by helping him to get rid of Mr Taylor’s car.

He said he "did not know who Paul Taylor was" and he had "nothing to do" with his disappearance.

The trial continues.