A 'homophobic' killer beat a 'gentle soul' to death in his own home.
Drunk Vitalie Tanga has been handed a life sentence for the 'vodka-fuelled rampage' which saw him end the life of Alfred Mattox by kicking him savagely in the head, leaving him with multiple facial fractures and brain damage.
The 'senseless killing' came as the 56-year-old victim and his friends were celebrating VE Day in his Wolverhampton home. Tanga launched the attack on Mr Mattox because he was gay, prosecutors told Wolverhampton Crown Court. The intoxicated killer kicked him multiple times in the head, leaving him fatally wounded on the kitchen floor.
Tanga claimed his victim had made a pass at him moments before the attack, leaving the killer determined to show him 'he was a man'. His crime was a 'violent reaction' to the unwanted sexual advance, Tanga's defence team claimed.
Tanga, 40, denied murdering carer Mr Mattox and a second charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm relating to the victim's lodger. Jurors convicted the killer - of Clifford Street, Wolverhampton - of both charges on April 19. On Friday, May 3, he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
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The trial was heard at Wolverhampton Crown Court (BPM Media)Sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC said: "You subjected Mr Mattox to a brutal and sustained attack when he was in his own home. It arose from what was a vodka-fuelled rage involving you repeatedly kicking him to the head causing extensive fractures and brain damage,
from which he died on May 24."
The court was told of events on May 10, 2021 that led up to the attack, beginning with Mr Mattox, his lodger and a friend heading back to the victim's flat in Merridale, Wolverhampton with a bottle of vodka to 'celebrate the anniversary of the end of the Second World War'. Killer Tanga also joined in with the festivities before the group went out to buy more vodka, BirminghamLive reported.
'All was well' when the victim spoke to his brother on FaceTime at 4.34pm, the court heard. But neighbours raised the alarm with police after hearing 'banging noises' just under an hour later. Police rushed to the scene, arriving at 5.45pm to find Mr Mattox unconscious on the floor. He had sustained extensive fracturing to both sides of his face and skull, as well as brain damage which led to organ failure.
The victim died a fortnight later on May 24. A Home Office pathologist told the trial that there must have been 'at least three heavy blows to the head', consistent with kicking. When police arrived at the scene, Tanga told officers outside the flat: "He is a ******, know what I mean" He later claimed his victim had made a pass at him, telling police in interview he 'had to show him he was a man'.
Tanga's second victim was left with bruising to his head and scratches as a result of an attack in Mr Mattox's flat. It is not 'entirely clear' at what stage he sustained injuries, but he has since made a full recovery.
West Midlands Police said Tanga stopped officers from entering the victim's flat for seven minutes once they arrived on the scene. He is also said to have attempted to flee.
Prosecutor Andrew Wallace told the court there was no intention to kill but rather an intention to cause serious bodily harm. He claimed the cruel killing was aggravated by Tanga's 'hostility' to his victim's sexual orientation.
Amjad Malik KC, defending, claimed Mr Mattox had made a sexual advance towards his killer, sparking an 'out of proportion' response from 'very intoxicated' Tanga. The killer had been asked to leave the flat as he was 'no longer welcome' but he refused and 'responded with explosive violence', Mr Malik said.
He went on to insist that Tanga was not homophobic and the victim's sexual orientation was not the basis of his violence. Mr Malik added: "It is very clear that Tanga knew Mr Mattox over a number of years. There had been no difficulty whatsoever."
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Judge Chambers said there was 'no other explanation for the extreme violence' Tanga unleashed other than his 'hostility' towards the victim's 'sexual orientation'. The judge said: "I'm satisfied so to be sure that this violent assault went far beyond simply a reaction to a sexual advance.
"This case was opened to the jury on the basis that it was caused and motivated by hostility to Mr Mattox's sexual orientation and the evidence is consistent with that."
The court heard how Tanga - who was supported in court by a Russian interpreter - had previous convictions for violence. He has experienced a psychotic condition - possibly paranoid schizophrenia - for a number of years, the judge said.
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