DIVA spoke to Paul Longworth’s friend Gill about his life
BY ELLA GAUCI
On 15 July, Yostin Andres Mosquera appeared in court after being charged with the murder of Albert Alfonso and Paul Longworth. According to the Metropolitan Police, Mr Mosquera had been staying with the pair in their flat prior to the crime. Albert and Paul’s remains were found in suitcases on Clifton Suspension Bridge and in a West London flat. While Paul and Albert were formerly a couple, the police have said there is no evidence to point towards a homophobic motive to the crime. As per national guidelines, it has been treated as a hate crime.
Gill met “Paulie” when she was his boss during her time working for the Savoy Hotel Group. She spoke to DIVA about her memories with Paul, and the kind spirit he held. “He was really well known around Knightsbridge,” she remembers fondly when asked about their initial years of friendship.
“Paulie drove me to Saint-Étienne in France with a van load of surplus furniture to help out some friends,” Gill says, recalling one of her favourite moments with him. “He drove me all the way down there. Although, being completely dyslexic, he couldn’t read or write, he instinctively knew all the road signs. He was a brilliant driver. He’d say, ‘There’s a refuge coming up, do you need a wee dear?’ He was so kind.”
According to Gill, at the start of Paul and Albert’s relationship Albert was working in hotels, firstly in London and then across the world. “Albert was completely different. He was smart, intelligent, worldly, you can’t say a bad word about him,” Gill adds.
“Paulie was incredibly bright and on the ball,” Gill continues. “He had terrific spatial awareness. He was terribly kind to everyone and loved animals. He was lovely. He was gentle, he was good fun – really good fun, he was a great mimic. I always felt safe when I was out with him.”
For Gill, the horrific nature of the crime is inexplicable. “They were just an ordinary couple,” she finishes.
Mr Mosquera is set to next appear at the same court for a plea hearing on 2 October.
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