Paul Thijssen recalled by students at St Andrews as creepy, flirt and weird after Lilie James’ murder

These are the words used to describe Paul Thijssen by students who say he boasted about his relationship with water-polo coach Lilie James during their short romance.

Creepy, flirty and weird. These are the words used to describe Paul Thijssen by students who say he boasted about his relationship with water-polo coach Lilie James during their short romance.

The 24-year-old was a sports assistant at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, and gained employment at the school after graduating in 2017, but some students say he made them “uncomfortable”.

“He had a wandering eye and flirtatious personality which unsettled young girls in the sports team,” one student told the Saturday Telegraph.

Another recalled an occasion in the past two weeks where Thijssen “boasted” about his relationship with Miss James, 21, to a group of students.

“He was a creep who was flirtatious with the girls,” they said.

“I am absolutely shocked by the circumstances but there’s no doubt that he was a creep.”

Lilie James, 22, was murdered by Thijssen after she broke off their five-week romance. Picture: Facebook

Earlier reports this week stated Thijssen had been called “arrogant” by former peers and friends, who noted he was “hated” by boys and liked by girls.

When contacted about the students’ concerns, a spokesperson for St Andrew’s Cathedral said they had never received any adverse complaints from parents or students about Thijssen.

Students said they were aware of the short relationship between the pair, however it is unknown whether school management had been notified about it.

St Andrews Cathedral School 2017 yearbook photo of Paul Thijssen in the Cricket 1st XI team. Picture: Supplied

Children laid floral tributes Lilie James at the school. Picture: David Swift.

Thijssen – who comes from a privileged family — moved to Australia from the Netherlands in 2015 and began studying at St Andrew’s.

Mr Thijssen’s body was retrieved from water off Vaucluse on Friday morning after police say he brutally murdered his former partner, Lilie James, at their workplace late on Wednesday.

It’s understood the 24-year-old’s parents were in the Netherlands at the time of the alleged murder – but often spend months at a time in Australia.

In a statement to parents on Friday, St Andrew’s Head of school Dr Julie McGonigle said she was “deeply concerned” for the families directly involved in the tragedy.

“I am personally committed to aligning our communications with what is respectful to them and in lock step with the NSW Police. I will not move at a pace that ignores those priorities,” McGonigle wrote.

“Thank you sincerely for the love and support you are generously giving at this time – as I will share with staff today – the horrors of evil do not and will not define our community, that is my oath. Thank you for partnering with me in that commitment.”