Moment ‘killer and coward’ arrested after dumping man’s remains in ponds across town

Footage of the moment a ‘dazed and confused’ man was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released now he has been found guilty.

Lee Clarke, 56, was arrested on suspicion of killing Phillip Lewis in Harlow, Essex, in November 2022.

Police launched the murder investigation on December 31 of that year after a member of the public found a suspicious item in Oakwood Pond – which turned out to be human remains.

DNA testing identified the remains as belonging to 59-year-old Phillip, and after finding out when he had gone missing, police believe he was murdered on November 12.

Specialist search officers and the marine unit then carried out more searches in other ponds across Harlow, where more of Phillip’s remains were found.

Clarke, from the Wedhey area of Harlow, was arrested on January 4 of last year on suspicion of murder.

Clarke’s arrest was filmed on police body worn video (Picture: Essex Police/SWNS)

He’s now been found guilty of murder (Picture: Essex Police/SWNS)

Phillip Lewis is believed to have been killed in November 2022 (Picture: Essex Police/SWNS)

Footage shows Clarke moving items out of his home hours before he was arrested – and officers found power tools and blood marks throughout the house.

On Friday (March 8) he was found guilty of murdering Phillip following a four-week trial at Chelmsford crown court. He’s due to appear at the same court on Tuesday to be sentenced.

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.

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.

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‘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.’

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