Homophobic killer who savagely beat a gay man to death in a 'vodka-fuelled' ... trends now
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A 'homophobic' killer who savagely beat a gay man to death in his own home has been jailed for life for his 'vodka-fuelled' onslaught.
Vitalie Tanga repeatedly kicked 'gentle soul' Alfred Mattox to his head, leaving him with multiple facial fractures and brain damage.
The 'senseless killing' came as 56-year-old Mr Mattox and his friends celebrated VE Day in his Wolverhampton home.
Prosecutors suggested heartless Tanga lashed out at his victim with 'explosive violence' because he was gay.
But Tanga claimed his victim had made a pass at him moments before his death and he wanted to 'show him he was a man'.
Vitalie Tanga has been jailed for life after beating a gay man to death in a drunken attack
Tanga's defence team said his crime was just a 'violent reaction' to the unwanted sexual advance.
The 40-year-old denied murdering carer Mr Mattox and a second charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm relating to the victim's lodger. He was convicted of both charges on April 19.
On Friday, he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
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 heard how Mr Mattox and his lodger went shopping, where they met a friend on May 10, 2021.
They bought a bottle of vodka, with the group deciding to go back to Mr Mattox's flat in Merridale 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.
'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
