A man who fatally punched a 'hero' father outside a Midlands nightclub has been imprisoned for his violent assault. Kejaun Malone attacked 'happy drunk' Kevin Taylor after their paths crossed outside a Walsall nightclub. The 33 year old hit his victim so hard that the father stumbled backwards and struck his head on the concrete pavement. Malone then heartlessly left the scene, leaving Mr Taylor to die on the ground while other party-goers did nothing to assist.

'Generous' Mr Taylor was described by his family as a 'pillar' of the Zimbabwean community, who would pay school fees for struggling families and support disabled charities. Today (Monday, May 12), Malone was sentenced to five years and four months in prison after previously pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Malone and Mr Taylor were at DeCode, in Lichfield Street, on December 7 last year. The pair, who were strangers, were seen on CCTV with a large group of people who had gathered outside as the club prepared to close around 4.30am.

Mr Taylor was seen to be 'sociable', described as a 'happy drunk' who was 'moving from person to person'. The 51 year old approached Malone, with the pair initially appearing 'amicable', prosecutor Howard Searle said, reports Birmingham Live. However, an 'altercation' between them ensued which led to Mr Taylor 'gently pushing' Malone with his left hand. Malone 'took exception' to the push and a 'conversation' between the two followed.

The murderer proceeded to strike Mr Taylor on the left side of his face, causing him to step back and remove his beanie hat. Malone then landed a second blow.

Mr Taylor took off his bag and gilet, gesturing towards Malone while filming him on his phone. An unidentified man knocked the phone from his hand, according to Mr Searle. As Mr Taylor bent down to retrieve his mobile, Malone struck him twice in quick succession in the head or neck area. After stepping back, Mr Taylor was hit with a fifth punch from Malone, causing him to stumble and fall backwards onto the concrete pavement, hitting his head.

Shockingly, bystanders did not assist Mr Taylor, with some even photographing him as he lay injured on the ground. A party-goer who had been in the club noticed the father about 20 minutes later and called 999. He placed Mr Taylor in the recovery position before paramedics arrived. Tragically, Mr Taylor could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene just after 5.20am.

Don't miss out on the biggest and breaking stories by subscribing to the BirminghamLive newsletter here. After his attack, Malone fled the scene and returned home, with police arresting him two days later. Mr Searle stated there was 'no suggestion' that Malone had intended to cause violence. The court heard that Mr Taylor's cause of death was blunt force traumatic head injury combined with alcohol intoxication. A pathologist concluded that the victim suffered post-traumatic concussion-associated apnea, which led to cardiac arrest.

Malone, from Osprey Close in Hall Green, has a history of convictions, although none for violent offences. His criminal record includes a community order in 2011 for carrying a bladed article, a suspended sentence in 2012 for dangerous driving, and another suspended sentence in 2013 for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

In addition, Malone served seven months in prison in 2013 for driving while disqualified and breaching a suspended sentence order, was jailed for 33 months in 2017 for his role in a drug supply conspiracy, and received a seven-week sentence in 2019 for burglary. Defence lawyer Gulam Ahmed conveyed that Malone offers his deepest apologies for his actions and has written a letter expressing remorse to Mr Taylor's family.

Malone, described as 'regretful', is haunted by the incident and wishes it had never occurred. Furthermore, the defendant assists with the care of his diabetic mother and two younger siblings, according to Mr Ahmed. During sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC remarked that Mr Taylor's initial shove towards Malone provided only 'minimal provocation'.

The judge condemned the 'appalling' and 'sustained assault', stating that no excuse could be made for the violence inflicted upon the victim. Judge Chambers KC emphasised: "It must have been obvious to all that Mr Taylor was very drunk and so was vulnerable.

"He was subjected to five punches of increasing force, the fifth punch causing bruising to the face and he was knocked to the ground."

Judge Chambers stated that he was not convinced Malone intended to inflict harm 'just falling short of grievous bodily harm'. However, he expressed his belief that Malone intended to cause 'more than minimal harm'. Mr Taylor's children have previously honoured their father, calling him their 'hero' and 'a guiding light', who instilled in them values of love, kindness, and resilience.