One-eyed killer who stabbed innocent clubber to death with a broken champagne flute in row over him talking to a woman in busy bar is jailed for life for the 'mindless' murder

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A one-eyed killer who stabbed an innocent club-goer to death with a broken champagne flute has been jailed for life for the 'mindless' murder today. 

Jack Costello, 44, grabbed Jason Taylor after the victim got caught up in a minor exchange of words with another man for politely allowing a woman to get served before him.

Costello initially put his left arm around 23-year old Mr Taylor's neck as if to speak to him but then bit down on the victim's ear before pulling him towards the floor. 

Jack Costello (left), 44, grabbed 23-year-old Jason Taylor (right) and stabbed him in the neck with a broken champagne flute at a cocktail bar in January

Then as onlookers tried to pull him away he adjusted the grip he had on a glass flute and thrust it into Mr Taylor's neck.

The victim who was not causing any trouble backed away but collapsed bleeding heavily from a neck wound. 

Jason Taylor had been enjoying a night out with his girlfriend Amber Greenwood (pictured together)

He died in hospital nine hours later with tests showing he suffered a fatal injury to his jugular vein.

At Preston Crown Court, Costello, a father-of-four who lost his right eye in 1996 in unknown circumstances, showed no emotion as he was found guilty of murder after a five day trial. 

He was ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years in jail.

He had a string of convictions for violence having been jailed for seven years for drug dealing in 2000.

In 2008 he was given six years for a £100,000 arson attack after he poured petrol through the window of a family house and set it on fire when he lost his temper over a children's Playstation game going missing.

Judge Mark Brown told Costello: 'This was undoubtedly mindless and unprovoked violence of the worst kind on a relatively young wholly innocent man who was doing no harm to anybody. 

'I have no doubt his family have lost a decent completely dedicated person and family man of whom they can be truly very proud.

'The aggravating features of this case are that this took place in a busy bar in front of a lot of people, the use of a weapon and you were affected by drink voluntarily. 

'This was a wholly unprovoked attack on Jay Jay who was younger and much smaller in stature. The intention was really serious harm.'

Mr Taylor's death last January 27 occurred just two months after Costello was given a suspended sentence for assault and driving whilst banned. 

Costello initially put his left arm around Mr Taylor's neck as if to speak to him but then bit down on the victim's ear before pulling him towards the floor. He then thrust a glass flute into Mr Taylor's neck

The victim - known as JayJay - and who was due to start a new job at Iceland supermarket, had been playing ten-pin bowling with his friends before going to the Esco-Bar in Darwen, Lancs, to meet his girlfriend.

Costello had been at a party at a local Conservative club to celebrate his son Dylan's 21st birthday before going to to Eso-bar with Kayle Smith, 30 - nephew of Costello's ex-partner Sharon Kitchin. 

Trouble began after Mr Taylor, who was described by his family as a 'typical boy next door', allowed a girl at the club Zoe Broadhurst in front of him to be served.

Mr Jacob Dyer prosecuting said: 'The bar was busy and JayJay was waiting to be served and whilst doing so he spoke to Zoe as they used to be friends of friends on Facebook.

'At the other side of the bar Kayle Smith appeared behind him and leaned over Jay Jay and said to her: ''Aren't you too good to be talking to him?'' 

'Jay Jay looked uncomfortable and Zoe asked what did he mean. She then took her drinks and thanked Jay Jay for letting her in to be served at the bar.

'Jay Jay and Kayle exchanged words and then Kayle head butted Jay Jay. 

'Jay Jay did not appear to be overly concerned by that and other than a smile at him, Jay-Jay did not react and appeared to be calm.'

'Sharon Kitchin put her hand on Kayle's shoulder to separate them and asked him what was wrong but he said something like 'he's being a dick'. 

'He then spoke to Jack Costello who at the time had hold of a champagne flute in his left hand. 

The victim - known as Jay Jay - had been playing ten-pin bowling with his friends before going to the Esco-Bar in Darwen, Lancs to meet his girlfriend 

'He had ordered champagne to celebrate his sons 21st birthday and was provided with glass champagne flutes.

'After speaking with Kayle, he transferred the flute to his right hand, strode past him and put his left arm around Jay Jay's neck to draw him in as if to speak to him. 

'He then opened his mouth and clamped down Jay Jay's right ear and pulled him down towards the floor with his teeth clamped on his ear for six seconds.

'Other tried to pull him away and Sharon Kitchin appears to slap the defendant to the face but he then adjusted the grip of the glass to prepare to attack. 

'He had gripped Jay Jay's jacket near to the shoulder to position himself then thrust the glass into the left side of his neck, causing the glass to shatter and causing a deep cut which immediately started to bleed.

'As Jay Jay is backing away, the defendant was restrained but started throwing the remains of the glass at Jay Jay and it appears to be the stem of the glass which has shattered. 

'He then lunged at him again, throwing punches and is then taken to the back door by the doorman.

Costello, from Rishton, Lancashire, denied murder but later admitted manslaughter. He was ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years in jail

'This was an unprovoked attack by the defendant on Jay Jay. Before he attacked there was no trouble. 

'He changed the flute into his right hand and pulled down on Jay Jay, adjusting his grip on the glass before thrusting it into his neck. He was shouting at him and continued his attack. 

'He then threw the remnants of the glass at Jay Jay and lunged at him again. He intended really serious harm.'

The court heard Mr Taylor left the club after the attack but collapsed.

He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital where he died at 11am in intensive care.

Costello, from Rishton, handed himself in to a police station at 3.30pm on January 29 accompanied by his solicitor. 

He made no comment in the interview and denied murder but later admitted manslaughter claiming the glass was thrown at Mr Taylor.

Smith admitted assault and will be sentenced on Thursday.

After the case Mr Taylor's family said in a statement: 'Jay Jay was the ''boy next door'' kind of lad and since that night he was cruelly taken from us, our lives have never been the same and even after all the on-going pain, on top of this, we had to relive every moment through the unnecessary trial. 

Costello, a father-of four, was found guilty of murder at Preston Crown Court after a five day trial. Pictured: Esco-Bar in Darwen, Lancashire

'The two men who attacked Jay Jay still have lives - Jay Jay doesn't.

'There will always be a huge hole in our family and all because of two men who think they can behave the way they did that night and get away with it.'

Det Chief Insp Richard McCutcheon of Lancashire Police 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. 

'This was a cowardly, unprovoked attack which cost the life of a young man.'