This is the moment a ”killer and a coward” was arrested on suspicion of murder after disposing of human remains in local ponds.
Lee Clarke, 56, looks dazed and confused as officers confronted him on suspicion of killing Phillip Lewis in Harlow, Essex.
Footage released by Essex Police shows Clarke moving items out of his property hours before he was stopped by officers in an organised search.
Police found a number of power tools and blood marks across the property.
Officers started a murder investigation after a member of the public discovered a suspicious item at Oakwood Pond in Harlow.
Forensic tests confirmed the item to be human remains.
On 4 January 2023, a warrant was executed at Clarke’s home address in Wedhey, Harlow and he was arrested on suspicion of murder.
On Friday 8 March, a jury found him unanimously guilty of murdering Phillip following a four-week trial.
An investigation was launched on New Years Eve 2022, after Essex Police received a call from a member of the public, who had discovered a suspicious item at Oakwood Pond in Harlow at around 2pm.
The area was quickly cordoned off and following attendance from forensic officers, the item was confirmed to be human remains.
A murder investigation was launched and within two days of the discovery, the victim was identified through a DNA match as 59-year-old Phillip Lewis, who was known locally in Harlow as Scottish Phil.
After police were able to establish when Phil went missing, they believe he was killed on 12 November 2022.
Specialist officers of the Police Search Advisors (POLSA) and the Marine Unit carried out searches of several other ponds across Harlow where further human remains belonging to Phillip Lewis were located.
The trial of Lee Clarke began on Wednesday, 7 February at Chelmsford Crown Court.
During the trial, Clarke attempted to claim that the blood located in his flat, was due to a broken mirror which the victim had helped him clear up.
The trial concluded after four-weeks on Friday, 8 March where a jury found Lee Clarke guilty of murder.
He will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 12 March for sentencing.
Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby said: “This trial has proven Lee Clarke to be a killer and a coward.
“Despite being arrested over a year ago, Clarke has refused to tell anyone why he killed Phil.
“He has also refused to disclose where he disposed of the rest of Phil’s body, which has added to the suffering inflicted on Phil’s family.
“This was a huge investigation for Essex Police and it would not have been possible without the support from the community in Harlow.
“Residents in Harlow were patient and compassionate, whilst our officers carried out enquiries.
“I can confidentially say that without the support from Harlow, assisting our hard-working officers, this result would not have been possible.”
