Man 'killed to access cannibal'

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An alcoholic who strangled his friend wanted to be jailed so he could take revenge on the cannibal killer of his girlfriend, a court has heard.

Alan Taylor, 41, of Tom Raine Court in Darlington, admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility, but denies murdering John Morrison.

Teesside Crown Court heard he never got over the death of Julie Paterson, killed by David Harker in 1998.

Harker, who admitted partially eating his victim, was jailed for life.

When he was arrested the defendant told police he wanted to be sent to Wakefield Prison, where he believed Harker was a prisoner.

'Unfinished business'

The court heard that, on the day of the alleged murder, he had left a hostel where he was staying and caught a taxi to Mr Morrison's house in Trafalgar Terrace in Darlington.

Prosecutor Toby Hedworth QC said the pair had a drinking session, after which Mr Taylor strangled his friend with a ligature.

David Harker was jailed in 1999 for killing Ms Paterson

Hours later he called 999 from a public phone box and said he had killed Mr Morrison, an unemployed bachelor originally from Scotland, for sleeping with his girlfriend while he was serving a prison sentence.

The court heard that, while at Darlington police station, Taylor told the custody sergeant: "My Julie was murdered. Her head, arms and legs have not been found.

He later said: "I hope to go to Wakefield. I want Harker next - bastard Harker. I want him as well - unfinished business."

Following Ms Paterson's killing, some of her remains were found in a bin-liner, but Harker never revealed where her head and limbs are hidden.

Mr Taylor used to dig holes around the town to try and find her missing head, the court heard.

The case continues.