Walsall nightclub handed suspension notice after dad killed outside
A Walsall nightclub has been issued with a 28-day suspension notice after a man was killed outside.
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DeCode on Lichfield Street, near the Central Library, has been banned from opening for licensable activities for the next 28 days with immediate effect following the death of 51-year-old Kevin Taylor on December 7.
Superintendent Pervez Mohammed, of Walsall Police, called for an urgent meeting to review the nightclub’s licence, also known as Discotheque.life.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday (December 12), was requested on the grounds that the venue 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 ‘severity of the crime, serious management failings at the premises concerned and the need to ensure the licensing objectives are promoted expeditiously’.
Mr Isaac Cobbinah-Koompong is the licence holder for the club and has been since April 17, 2024.
Within the meeting documents, it states: “On December 7 at approximately 4.30am, disorder took place as customers exited the premises on closure. During this disorder, a male was tragically killed.
“From the limited footage that licensing officers have viewed so far, they have raised immediate concerns regarding the conduct of the staff at the venue.
"West Midlands Police have stated that a murder/manslaughter investigation is ongoing.
"At this stage there is limited information that can be disclosed in these licensing proceedings given the sensitivity of the investigation.”
Legal advisor for Walsall Council, Gary Grant, said: “The decision of the licensing sub-committee is to suspend the premises licence, pending a full review hearing which must take place within 28 days.
“That suspension has immediate effect. The premises would not be lawfully permitted to open for licenseable activities from now.
"The licence holder has the right to challenge this interim suspension. If they choose to do so, that challenge will come back before this council for a licensing sub-committee to consider.”
Kejuan Malone, of Osprey Close, Birmingham, was arrested following the incident and charged with manslaughter on Monday (December 9) night.
The 32-year-old appeared before Walsall Magistrates Court on December 10 where he was remanded in custody ahead of a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court in January.
In a tribute issued by West Midlands Police earlier this week, Mr Taylor was described by his children as being their "guiding light", adding they would "honour his legacy always".
