A Walsall nightclub’s licence has been revoked following the death of a father after a street attack outside the venue
Walsall: The council has pulled the licence for a nightclub after a tragic incident last month. A 51-year-old man, Kevin Taylor, died outside the club, which is known as DeCode. The police expressed serious concerns about the club’s safety.
Superintendent Pervez Mohammed called for an urgent review after Kevin was found unconscious following an altercation outside the venue. It was reported that he had only taken a few steps before the incident occurred.
Kevin was discovered just before 5 am on December 7, and sadly, he was pronounced dead later. A man named Kejuan Malone has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the case.
West Midlands Police highlighted that the nightclub was linked to serious crime and disorder. After a meeting on December 12, the council decided to suspend the club’s activities for 28 days while they looked into the matter further.
During the full hearing, police described the CCTV footage as heartbreaking. They noted that security staff at the club failed to report the incident, leaving Kevin on the ground for far too long.
It was revealed that while people were leaving the club, Kevin lay injured just outside. The police were only alerted when a passerby began CPR, which was 25 minutes after the assault.
There were also reports of other violent incidents linked to the club in the months leading up to Kevin’s death. These included fights and assaults that went unreported by the venue.
Concerns were raised about the club’s management and their ability to ensure safety during events, especially since they often announced locations last minute on social media.
Jacob Cobbinah, the club’s director, claimed that the incident was a personal attack on him and that he had left the venue in the hands of someone he didn’t even know well. This raised further questions about the club’s management practices.
Despite the tragic events, Cobbinah’s legal representative argued that the conditions of the licence were unclear and that revoking it might not be the best solution. They suggested a more balanced approach to improve safety rather than shutting down the venue entirely.
However, the council ultimately decided to revoke the licence, emphasizing the need to prioritize public safety and the licensing objectives. The decision is effective immediately, and a written notice will be sent out soon.
