TV show twin admits murder

Sep 2 2008 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

ATWIN who appeared on the controversial Jeremy Kyle television show is facing a life sentence for stabbing a father-to-be to death in a street attack.

Philip Craggs admitted the murder of Paul Gilbert yesterday when he was due to stand trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

The 25-year-old of Emily Street, Walker, Newcastle stabbed Mr Gilbert in the stomach causing injuries from which he died just over a fortnight later.

His brother Mark Craggs, of Eastgarth, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle admitted a linked charge of affray.

They were both remanded in custody after sentence was adjourned by Judge John Milford until September 18, when no evidence will be offered against Mark Craggs on the murder count.

The twins had featured on the Jeremy Kyle show which deals with family and relationship issues after Philip Craggs accused his brother of having an affair with his fiancée.

The programme was filmed before the murder, but broadcast after their arrest – sparking fury from the victim’s 17-year-old girlfriend Lindsey Neil who was pregnant at the time.

Ms Neil, an accounts clerk insisted she had been promised an apology which never arrived and the programme had been shown again causing further distress.

A spokeswoman for the Jeremy Kyle show later apologised for screening the programme which they said had been shown in error.

Miss Neil and Mr Gilbert had been living together in Newbold Street, Byker at the time of the attack in nearby Welbeck Road on February 13 this year.

Mr Gilbert, 22, was taken to hospital where he died from organ failure 15 days later.

Accepting the pleas offered by Philip and Mark Craggs, prosecutor Robert Smith, QC, said the case would be opened on the basis Mr Gilbert was not the aggressor and did not deliberately assault either of the twins.

He said it would also be opened on the basis Mr Gilbert had run away after Philip Craggs produced the knife and was stabbed despite apologising to the brothers as he fled.

He said another accepted fact was that Mark Craggs had been unaware the knife had been produced and unaware the victim had been stabbed until the incident was over.

He said other undisputed evidence was that Philip Craggs had stabbed Mr Gilbert three times and attempted to deliver a fourth blow and that he later sought to influence Mr Gilbert to say if asked he had been attacked by somebody else.

Adjourning sentence, Judge Milford told Philip Craggs the only sentence he could pass was one of life imprisonment.

In a statement issued after the case, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Barron praised Mr Gilbert’s family for their support and dignity throughout the inquiry and thanked those prepared to come forward and assist police in their investigation.

“Their evidence has been a tremendous help to the team. I hope Mr Gilbert’s family and friends will feel justice is now being done.”

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