Champagne flute murderer gets life
A‘SAVAGE’ killer who stabbed a 23-year-old man in the throat with a champagne glass has been jailed for life.
Jack Costello, 46, of Victoria Street, Rishton, was found guilty of murdering Jay Jay Taylor in the ‘cowardly, unprovoked’ attack in a bar, after a Preston Crown Court trial.
Costello, who had admitted manslaughter but denied murder, was handed a minimum jail term of 19 years after a majority jury verdict.
Honorary Recorder Judge Mark Brown said: “This was undoubtedly unprovoked violence of the worst kind and it ended in the death of a relatively young and wholly innocent man who was doing no harm to anybody.
“It is clear that Jay Jay was full of life, easygoing and didn’t have a care.”
He added: “When it comes to his family and friends there can be no doubt that they have lost a thoroughly dedicated, completely decent person and family man who they can be truly very proud of.”
The court heard that Costello had served previous lengthy jail sentences for aggravated burglary, supplying Class A drugs and arson with intent to endanger life.
Police were called to Esco-Bar in Darwen at around 1.20am on January 28 this year following reports of an assault.
Mr Taylor was treated at the roadside with a serious neck injury.
He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment but died that day from his injuries.
After a murder investigation was launched, CCTV footage showed Mr Taylor at the bar with friends.
He was approached by a second man Kayle Smith who, following a brief conversation, headbutted the victim.
He then briefly talked to Costello.
Costello then approached Mr Taylor, putting his arm around his neck and biting his ear.
After intervention from others, Costello was briefly separated from Mr Taylor before thrusting a champagne glass into his neck.
The glass shattered on impact, severing his jugular vein.
Speaking after the sentence, Detective Chief Inspector Richard McCutcheon, said: “This was a cowardly, unprovoked attack which cost the life of a young man. Jack Costello’s actions were savage and brutal.”
KAYLE Smith, 30, of Vale Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to assault.
He was due to be sentenced on Thursday, August 9.