A FATHER-OF-FOUR who murdered Jason ‘Jay Jay’ Taylor by stabbing him in the neck with a champagne flute has been jailed for life.

Jack James Costello, 45, was told he will serve a minimum of 19 years before he is eligible for parole.

The jury was told how Costello had first grabbed and bitten his victim in an unprovoked attack, before thrusting the glass into his neck.

Mr Taylor suffered catastrophic injuries and died in hospital following the attack at the former Esco-Bar in Darwen in the early hours of Sunday, January 28.

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The Honorary Recorder of Preston, 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.

“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.”

Before the fatal assault Mr Taylor had exchanged words with Kayle Smith, the nephew of the defendant’s former partner Sharon Kitchen.

Mr Taylor had been talking to a friend of a friend, Zoe Broadhurst, at the bar before Smith leaned in and said: “Aren’t you too good to be talking to him?”

Mr Taylor did not react to that comment but the court heard 30-year-old Smith headbutted the victim. But Mr Taylor ‘did not appear to be overly concerned by that’.

But Smith spoke to Costello, who marched over to Mr Taylor and put his arm around his neck as if he was going to speak to him.

Costello, of Victoria Street, Rishton, bit the ear of Mr Taylor for about six seconds.

A number of people tried to stop Costello, including Ms Kitchen, who slapped him in the face.

Costello, who was out celebrating his son’s 21st birthday and had been given glass rather than a plastic glass because he had bought champagne, thrust the vessel into his victim’s neck, severing his jugular.

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Following that Costello threw the stem of the glass at the victim.

He then landed punches before being restrained by security staff.

Mr Taylor was taken to Royal Preston Hospital but died at 11am.

During his defence Costello, who lost his right eye in 1996 which he said affects his ability to judge distance, said he had only intended to scare Mr Taylor.

He accepted causing the fatal injury to Mr Taylor but said he had only intended to throw the contents of the glass at him. He said Ms Kitchen’s hand had covered his eye and he had no idea where Mr Taylor was.

He had always accepted manslaughter but denied murder.

A jury took six and a half hours to find him guilty of murder by a majority of 10 to two.

In her victim statement, Jay Jay's mother, Vicky Taylor, said: “Jay Jay had never been in trouble and he was certainly not a violent man. We have lost everything and we will now miss out on him getting married and having children.

“My family has been put through so much. I feel like I am the one receiving the life sentence.”

His father Jason said: “Jay Jay was not only my son but my best friend. He attended to my disabilities, helping me with my shopping and cleaning.

“He was due to start working at Iceland the week after his death. He was really excited about saving up to go on holiday with his girlfriend, Amber.

“I miss Jay Jay so much but at the moment we are just taking things one day at a time.”

Girlfriend Amber Greenwood said: “I was in a relationship with Jay Jay since I was 16 and we did everything together.

“We spoke about our futures, which were cruelly ripped away from us.

“This has had such and impact on my life that I have had to take a year off from my degree.

“I have lost my boyfriend and my best friend, my rock and support system. This has been the most difficult time of my life and not something a girl should have to endure.

“It is not often you come across someone so selfless.”

Detective Chief Inspector Richard McCutcheon said: “Jack Costello’s actions were savage and brutal. Following Kayle Smith’s earlier attack, Costello sought out Jay Jay and launched an unprovoked and vicious assault on him before using the champagne flute as a weapon to deliver the fatal blow.

“I must thank the Taylor and Livesey families for the courage they have shown throughout the trial and my thoughts continue to remain with them."

Smith, 30, of Vale Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Taylor. He will be sentenced tomorrow.