Kevin Taylor was left lying unconscious when he hit his head on the pavement after being punched, while people took photos and videos. It took 25 minutes for anyone to help him
A man who repeatedly punched a 51-year-old dad outside a nightclub, killing him, has been jailed for manslaughter. Kevin Taylor fell backwards and hit his head after he was struck multiple times by 33-year-old Kejuan Malone at around 5am in December last year.
Mr Taylor, whose children described him as a hero who taught them love and kindness, struck his head on the pavement and lost consciousness. CCTV of the incident showed that he lay on the floor for “some time” before a member of the public administered first aid as they waited for the paramedics to arrive. A policeman described the indifference of other clubbers to Mr Taylor’s plight as “harrowing”.
Today at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Malone, who had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, was sentenced to 5 years behind bars. The court heard how Malone, of Hall Green, Birmingham, made no attempt to help Mr Taylor as he lay unconscious, and instead left the scene in a car with his friends.
The two men had both been customers at the De Code Lounge in Walsall during the evening and had an argument outside the club before the attack took place. Malone was identified from CCTV and identified by detectives who arrested him two days later. CCTV footage from outside the club showed Mr Taylor moving from group to group, talking to different people and “trying to be sociable” before he approached Malone and his firneds, who he did not know.
In January this year, the Walsall Council revoked the premises’ licence at the town centre nightclub following Mr Taylor’s death. West Midlands Police said it had ‘no confidence’ that Discotheque.Life could be run safely.
Superintendent Pervez Mohammed called for an urgent review, which heard Mr Taylor had only ‘taken a few steps’ when he was involved in an altercation with someone who had also left the venue.
West Midlands Police licensing officer Jennifer Mellor told the council hearing the CCTV footage of the incident as ‘heartbreaking’. In her statement, she said: “From CCTV footage, what appears to be security staff from the venue who had witnessed the male on the floor and in close proximity failed to report this matter to the police.
“We believe at least two members of the security team at the venue were in the presence and witnessed the victim on the floor after the event. As a licensing officer, I am appalled at this lack of reporting.
“People disperse, as do the door staff; the venue is closed, and the shutters come down whilst the male is left outside on the pavement. My Taylor is seen by CCTV operators who saw a member of the public carrying out CPR. It is at this point the CCTV operators alert the police and ambulance service. This is 25 minutes after the assault took place.
“During the time period, Mr Taylor lay on the floor, and the venue or staff did not phone the police or ambulance service. They did not report this to management as the owners informed the police they were not aware of the incident. They did not preserve the scene, the venue closed the shutters leaving an injured male on the floor outside their venue.”
West Midlands Police Sergeant James Whittaker said the CCTV footage was ‘harrowing’. In his statement, it said: “The CCTV footage shows the offence being committed and once Kevin Taylor was on the floor, metres away from the venue itself, there appears to be staff that had either been hired or employed by Decode night club that had gone over to Kevin Taylor and failed to assist in any way, either medically or supportively to ensure that he was OK.
“It was harrowing to witness so many members of the public, which includes door staff, look at Taylor on the floor and not offer any intervention and in most circumstances, stand, stare and take photos and/or videos of Taylor on the floor.”
The council hearing also heard of other incidents at the venue, Birmingham Live reports, and concluded by revoking the licence.
Following his death, Mr Taylor’s children said: “Dad, you were our hero, a guiding light who taught us love, kindness, and resilience. Your generosity and unwavering support touched so many lives, and your memory will forever live in our hearts. We love you deeply and will honour your legacy always.”
The parents of Mr Taylor – who was also known as Taisekwa – said: “Our beloved son Taisekwa, your kindness and compassion were a blessing to all who knew you. You brought joy and pride to our lives, and your selflessness touched hearts far and wide.
“Though you are gone, your legacy of love will forever remain with us. We will miss you dearly, our precious child.”
Detective Inspector Dan Jarratt, who led the investigation, said: “This is a tragic case. Mr Taylor was enjoying a night out when his life was tragically taken.
“Mr Taylor’s family have been left devastated by his death and I just hope this conviction helps just a little as they try to come to terms with what has happened. My thoughts remain with them.”
