'Jeffrey Dahmer' copycat killer listened to chilling song before smashing in man's skull

Jack Crawley, 20, listened to a song with eerie violent lyrics just before he beat Falklands veteran Paul Taylor, 56, to death with a hammer and burned his corpse

A vicious killer who has been compared to Jeffrey Dahmer was free to attack another victim after being released on bail over the murder of a Falklands veteran.

Jack Crawley, 20, brutally killed Paul Taylor, 56, with a hammer before setting his body alight. Two months later, after being arrested and bailed in the investigation into Mr Taylor's murder, Crawley journeyed from Carlisle to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh before heading to York, where he struck again.

Crawley, who worked as a hospital security guard, launched a near-identical attack on another man, who survived the attempted murder. Crawley met both victims on a gay dating app.

On Monday, Crawley was found guilty of murdering Mr Taylor in October 2023 and convicted of attempted murder in the York incident in January 2024. Mr Taylor had travelled from his Dumfries and Galloway home to meet up with his killer in Cumbria in October last year.

Crawley bludgeoned the father-of-two at least ten times with a hammer. After the fatal attack, Crawley purchased charcoal and lighters and attempted to burn the hospital catering manager's body, but eventually abandoned the idea due to the smell, reports Glasgow Live.

Instead, he buried Mr Taylor's body in a shallow grave in Finglandrigg Wood near Carlisle, a location he knew well from his childhood. Mr Taylor's family alerted police to her husband's disappearance from their home in Annan.

Mr Taylor's Vauxhall Corsa was later found deserted at Langwathby near Penrith, sparking a murder probe. The vehicle was ditched there by Crawley.

The forensic squad unearthed Mr Taylor's blood in the car boot and signs that someone tried to clean off blood stains from the drivers door. Crawley ended up being nicked weeks later following the vehicle's discovery.

Cops stumbled upon what they'd later dub a "kill kit" at a premises, stuffed with items like rope, duct tape, cable ties and poppers which turned out to bear Mr Taylor's DNA. Despite the damning evidence, Crawley got bail with orders to remain in Carlisle.

However he flouted his bail conditions, heading to Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and eventually York. It was in York, in January, where he launched another brutal assault on a man after linking up on a dating app. His target however managed to fend Crawley off and sound the alarm.

In February, officers arrested Crawley in Bath, Somerset, slapping him with charges tied to both assaults.

Nearly 200 days since the killing, Crawley led detectives to the makeshift grave where he had dumped Mr Taylor's remains. He confessed to manslaughter but prosecutors rejected this plea, and a fortnight ago he faced trial at Carlisle Crown Court.

David McLachlan KC relayed how Mr Taylor's skull was "completely smashed in". His left lower leg was found completely detached from the rest of his body, injuries which a pathologist said could have been caused by a claw hammer.

During Crawley's cross-examination, the murderer denied being intrigued by the likes of Dahmer, who was notorious for killing, dismembering and cannibalising 17 boys and young men, primarily in Milwaukee, US. However, he confessed to David McLachlan KC, prosecuting, that he had watched the Netflix series about the serial killer.

When asked if he enjoyed the series, Crawley responded: "It's disgusting what he did." But Mr McLachlan retorted: "That's what you did. The sort of thing Jeffrey Dahmer does. Kill or try to kill gay people."

The court heard that after finishing work on October 17 last year, Mr Taylor visited a layby between Brampton and Carlisle, a known rendezvous point for gay men. He returned home at 8.30pm but left about an hour later and that was the last time his wife ever saw him alive.

Mr McLachlan detailed: "At 7.55pm, Jack Crawley listened to a song called 'Romantic Homicide'. The lyrics to this song include: 'In the back of my mind I killed you and I didn't even regret it. I can't believe I said it but it's true; I hate you.'".

"At 8.39pm, he went to a local shop and bought a bag of charcoal and two lighters. It is the prosecution case that Jack Crawley had murder on his mind."

The family of Mr Taylor has been left shattered following the trial's outcome, expressing in a heart-wrenching statement: "To us, he was a husband and a dad, gentle and loving. For many years, Paul worked to protect his country, giving up time to be a husband and father. Now was the time for us to be that family unit and we grieve the loss of that and of our future."

Their pain continued as they added: "Losing Paul in these circumstances and the torment and hurt this has caused has been horrendous and indescribable. Paul will be dearly missed and he will remain in our thoughts forever."

Detective Superintendent Ian Hussey, who spearheaded the investigation into the murder, commented on the case: "Paul was tragically killed after suffering an assault at the hands of Jack Crawley. Crawley refused to admit to the brutal murder of Paul instead, pleading guilty to manslaughter claiming his death was the result of a car theft gone wrong. However, after a jury heard the evidence gathered against him, they found him guilty of murder."

He further remarked: "I would like to pay tribute to Paul's family. They have been dignified throughout the course of the investigation and our thoughts remain with them."

North Yorkshire Polices Detective Superintendent Jonathan Sygrove, steering head of Major, Serious and Organised Crime, oversaw the inquiry into the York incident.

He elaborated: "As our investigation progressed and with fast-tracked DNA evidence, it became clear to us that this was more than an assault - it was attempted murder. While my colleagues in Cumbria have praised the dignity of Mr Taylor's family during this awful ordeal, I'd also like to recognise the actions of the victim from North Yorkshire who had the courage to come forward after he was attacked."

"I hope today's verdict brings some closure to him and all others whose lives have been changed forever by Jack Crawley."