Walsall nightclub suspended after father’s murder outside

DeCode on Lichfield Street, near the Central Library, has been banned from opening for permitted activities for the next 28 days with immediate effect following the death of Kevin Taylor, 51, on December 7.

Superintendent Pervez Mohammed, of Walsall Police, has called an urgent meeting to review the license of the nightclub, also known as Discotheque.life.

The meeting, which took place on Thursday December 12, was requested on the grounds that the location is associated “with both serious crime and serious disorder”.

West Midlands Police gave the council 48 hours to hear the summary review application, due to “the seriousness of the crime, serious management failures at the premises concerned and the need to ensure that the objectives of the authorization be promoted quickly.

Mr. Isaac Cobbinah-Koompong has been dismissed from the club since April 17, 2024.

In the meeting documents, it is stated: “On December 7 around 4:30 a.m., disturbances took place while customers were leaving the closed premises. During the unrest, a man was tragically killed.

“From the limited footage that licensing officers have viewed so far, they immediately raised concerns about the conduct of staff on site.

“West Midlands Police said a murder/manslaughter investigation was underway.

“At this stage, the information that can be disclosed as part of this authorization procedure is limited, given the sensitive nature of the investigation.”

Walsall Council legal advisor Gary Grant said: “The decision of the licensing sub-committee is to suspend the premises license, pending a full review hearing which is due to take place within 28 days.

“This suspension has immediate effect. Premises would not be legally allowed to open for permitted activities from now on.

“The licensee has the right to challenge this interim suspension. If they choose to do so, that challenge will return to this board for review by a licensing subcommittee.”

Kejuan Malone, of Osprey Close, Birmingham, was arrested following the incident and charged with manslaughter on the night of Monday (December 9).

The 32-year-old appeared at Walsall Magistrates’ Court on December 10 where he was remanded in custody ahead of his trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court in January.

In a tribute by West Midlands Police earlier this week, Mr Taylor was described by his children as their “beacon of light”, adding that they would “always honor his legacy”.