Kyle TV show killer jailed for life

Sep 19 2008 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal

A KILLER who appeared on the controversial Jeremy Kyle television show was yesterday jailed for life for stabbing a father-to-be to death after a chance encounter.

Philip Craggs pulled a knife on Paul Gilbert after a confrontation in the street, chasing after the victim when he turned and ran and then knifing him three times and piercing his lung, liver and chest wall muscle.

He had admitted the murder of Mr Gilbert – who died 15 days after the attack from organ failure – earlier this month when he was due to stand trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

The 25-year-old, of Emily Street, Walker, Newcastle, must serve a minimum 15 years six months behind bars before he can be considered for parole. He had claimed he had been carrying a knife for his own protection after he was the victim of a stabbing 21 months earlier in which he lost an eye. But passing sentence, Judge David Hodson said the fact he had been armed with a knife for whatever reason was a major aggravating factor in the case.

The judge said he accepted Craggs had intended to cause serious harm rather than kill and the attack in Walker in February this year was unplanned. But he told him: “You cannot escape the undoubted truth that if you were not carrying the knife, Mr Gilbert would not have been killed. I regard the unlawful carrying of a knife in a public place as a particularly significant aggravating factor.”

Craggs’ twin Mark Craggs, of Bewick Road, Willington Quay, Wallsend, was jailed for 21 months after admitting affray. The court heard he had chased after, tripped up and punched Mr Gilbert, but it was accepted he had been unaware his brother had a knife and had not realised the victim had been stabbed until the incident was over.

The twins had appeared on the controversial Jeremy Kyle show in November last year when Philip Craggs accused his brother of having an affair with his fiancee.

But the programme was actually broadcast after their arrest – sparking fury from the victim’s 17-year-old girlfriend Lindsey Neil who was pregnant at the time.

And although ITV promised the programme would not be repeated, it was shown again in May in error causing further distress. An ITV spokeswoman said an apology had been given to the family.

Miss Neil and Mr Gilbert had been living together in Newbold Street, Byker, at the time of the killing. She gave birth to their son, named after him, in August.