Latest news with #KevinTaylor
The Independent
12-05-2025
- The Independent
Man who killed ‘selfless' father by punching him outside nightclub is jailed
A man who killed a 'kind and selfless' father by punching him multiple times outside a club has been jailed for more than five years for his manslaughter. Kejuan Malone, 33, hit Kevin Taylor, 51, five times outside Decode Lounge in Lichfield Street in Walsall shortly before 5am on December 7 last year, with the final blow causing him to fall back and hit his head on the pavement. On Monday, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Malone, of Osprey Close in 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. CCTV footage from outside the club showed Mr Taylor had been moving from group to group talking to people and 'trying to be sociable' before he approached Malone and his friends, who he did not know. While the interaction was initially cordial, Mr Taylor appeared to lightly push Malone, who 'took exception' and hit the victim twice in the face. After getting his phone out to start filming, someone else knocked the device to the ground and as he bent over to pick it up, Malone punched him again twice in the head and neck. The final punch was more 'forceful', the court heard, and led to Mr Taylor stumbling backwards and hitting his head on the pavement. The court was told no-one initially came to help Mr Taylor as he lay unconscious, with some bystanders taking pictures and videos of him while on the ground. A member of the public did then try to administer first aid and paramedics were called but they could not revive him and he was pronounced dead at 5.20am. Malone, appearing in court for his sentencing via video link from HMP Birmingham wearing a green T-shirt and sitting behind a table, seemed to be watching intently as the CCTV footage was played to the court. He looked down as Mr Taylor's daughter Chantel told the court her family had been filled with grief following his death. Describing him as a 'kind and selfless man', Ms Taylor said the family had to ask for financial help to return his body to Zimbabwe for his funeral. Calling him a pillar of the Zimbabwean community, she said: 'Since that day our lives have been filled with grief, pain and a deep sense of loss none of us can describe. 'He was always the first to give even though he didn't have much himself. He never missed a chance to uplift others. He was a man of deep faith. He had a positive outlook on life that inspired everyone around him. 'Losing him so violently has broken us all. Every day is a reminder of what we have lost.' Jailing him for five years and four months, Judge Michael Chambers KC accepted Malone felt genuine remorse for his actions and had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the earliest opportunity, but said it would have been obvious to him at the time that Mr Taylor was vulnerable and intoxicated. He said: 'As a result of your unlawful violence in a public place, you caused the untimely death of Mr Taylor. 'He was clearly a decent, hard-working family man. He was obviously much loved. 'He was clearly and obviously vulnerable because he had had a lot to drink, as he was perfectly entitled to do. 'Mr Taylor can be seen moving from group to group in a perfectly proper and lawful manner. 'There was some sort of altercation resulting in his pushing you with his left hand. 'On any view, it was a gentle push and it did not justify the assault by you on him. 'His death was caused, in effect, as a result of blunt force head trauma. 'This wasn't a one-punch manslaughter. 'Although there was a push by the deceased, it constitutes minimal provocation. 'It must have been obvious to you he had had a great deal to drink. 'This was a sustained assault in a public place and you did not remain to assist.'
BBC News
12-05-2025
- BBC News
Man jailed for Walsall nightclub punch death of 'hero' dad
A man who admitted causing the death of a man outside a nightclub by punching him has been jailed for more than five Midlands Police said Kejuan Malone, 33, hit Kevin Taylor, 51, "multiple times" outside DeCode Lounge on Lichfield Street, Walsall, on 7 Taylor fell, hit his head on the pavement and later died from his from Osprey Close, Hall Green, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to Mr Taylor's manslaughter in April and was jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday. Police said the men, who were both customers at the club earlier that evening, were involved in a "verbal exchange" before the club was closed down the month after Mr Taylor's death. Mr Taylor's children described him as their "hero"."Your generosity and unwavering support touched so many lives and your memory will forever live in our hearts," they said."We love you deeply and will honour your legacy always."Mr Taylor's parents paid tribute to his "kindness and compassion"."You brought joy and pride to our lives and your selflessness touched hearts far and wide," they well as being given a 64-month prison sentence, Malone was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
TDC Begins Consultation On Government Water Reforms
Government-led water Local Water Done Well reforms mean all New Zealand councils must work with their communities to decide the future of their water services. From today, Taupō District Council is asking for the community's input on the best option for its future water services delivery. Keeping water services as they are is not an option. The council has spent months reviewing its current water services and the different options the government has given for their future. Its options for water have been narrowed down to three – one preferred option and two alternatives. Based on Taupō District Council's current financial stability and the strength of its water services team, the proposed preferred option is to keep its water services for now and review in 2027. While this option would retain water services in-house, it includes significant changes to how council must manage and report on water services. There are also two alternative options. The first is to join six other councils to form Waikato Water, a regional multi-council owned water services entity. The second is to establish a single Taupō District Council-controlled organisation. Deputy Mayor Kevin Taylor said that while there is still significant ongoing uncertainty in the water reform landscape, councillors thought it wise to take a cautious approach and wait for more clarity before making any major changes. 'Our proposed preferred option of keeping water services with council for now is the result of a thorough evaluation of key factors, including long-term financial stability, service quality, governance, and potential improvements,' Mr Taylor said. 'Under this option we would also explore joining Waikato Water for some shared services, such as procurement but we would keep control of our water services and our water assets. 'No final decision has been made, and we want feedback and input from the community. We need to know what the community priorities are for the future of our water services so we can take those into account as we make this significant decision.' Mr Taylor said choosing one option at this time doesn't rule out being able to change to another option later. 'By participating in the initial design phase of Waikato Water, Council has ensured that transitioning to a regional entity remains a viable option if it proves best for ratepayers in the future. 'Whatever option we ultimately end up with, you can still expect to receive the same water services. If you're connected to council water supplies, you'll still get water from the tap and your wastewater will still be taken away, no matter who is managing it.' Regardless of the model chosen, water service costs are expected to rise due to Government-imposed factors such as economic regulation and regulatory compliance plus increasing infrastructure costs, which will require ongoing investment. 'Our goal is to look after our critical water assets, keep water supplies safe and make a decision that is right for our communities, well into the future,' Mr Taylor says. 'So, this decision on our water services is a huge one. We need to think carefully and make the right choice for our community – not just for today and tomorrow, but for generations to come.' The Our Water Our Future consultation runs until 4.30pm on Thursday 29 May. People can learn more and make a submission at
