Murderer’s move to an open prison called off
WIDOW OF VICTIM RELIEVED AT CHANGE OF PLAN
KNIFE murderer Philip Craggs has been returned to a closed jail after scuppering his first chance of freedom.
Craggs was jailed for life for stabbing young dad-to-be Paul Gilbert to death, in Newcastle, in 2008.
The senseless street attack left Paul’s unborn child without a father and his loved ones devastated.
And the 22-year-old victim’s family were dealt a further blow last year when they were told that after spending just 13 years behind bars Craggs was being moved to a a category D ‘open’ prison, and would be eligible to apply for temporary release.
But now the decision has been made to return the violent killer to ‘closed prison’ meaning he is no longer able to request periods of leave from prison.
The move has been met with relief from the mother of Paul’s child.
The mum, who the Sunday Sun has agreed not to name, said: “Obviously I am pleased he’s not being let out soon as when I got the phone call advising he was being moved to an open jail I was so upset.
“My son is nearly 14, his life hasn’t even properly started yet and his dad’s killer would just be coming out and having a normal life – it’s just not right.
“Whatever has happened for him to be moved back to a closed jail for the foreseeable obviously proves he hasn’t changed his ways.”
Paul, who was also known as Paul Veith, had only recently discovered he was going to be a dad when he was killed, and had been proudly carrying his son’s scan picture around with him.
The attack happened after he accidentally bumped into Craggs, who
was with his twin brother Mark, near an off-licence, on Welbeck Road, in Walker, on February 13, 2008.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how a row broke out, during which Paul ‘foolishly’ said he would fight the brothers, but he fled when Phillip Craggs brandished his knife.
Paul repeatedly said he was sorry as he ran for his life, but he was tripped and overpowered. Craggs then stabbed him three times.
Paul was able to stagger to nearby Alfred Street where he collapsed. He spent more than two weeks in a coma after the brutal attack, but died on February 28, 2008.
Craggs, then 26, of Emily Street, Walker, admitted murder and was jailed for life with a minimum of 15 and a half years.
Mark Craggs, then of Willington Quay, Wallsend, admitted affray after tripping Paul, which allowed his brother to catch and kill him. He was jailed for 21 months.
Paul’s son was born six months after his death, and named Paul junior after the dad he will never meet.