Drunk Vitalie Tanga has been handed a life sentence for murdering Alfred Mattox at his home in Wolverhampton during VE Day celebrations, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard

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

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Tanga made allegations that his victim had initiated an unwelcome romantic gesture moments before the attack. This incited a violent response from Tanga. His defense team argued that this inopportune approach drove Tanga to assert his masculinity.

40-year-old Tanga pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr. Mattox, a carer, and a second charge of assault causing actual bodily harm to Mattox’s tenant. However, the jurors came to the unanimous decision that Tanga was indeed guilty of both charges on 19th April. Following the verdict, Tanga was incarcerated for life with a minimum term of 25 years on May 3rd at the Wolverhampton Crown Court.

At the time of sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC stated, “You subjected Mr. Mattox to a brutal and sustained attack in the safety of his own home. The event was incited by a vodka-fueled rage during which you repeatedly kicked him in the head causing severe fractures and brain damage, leading to his death on 24th May.”

The court disclosed the incidents of May 10, 2021 leading to an attack. Mr. Mattox, his tenant and a companion went to Merridale, Wolverhampton with a bottle of vodka to commemorate the ending of World War II. Tanga, the killer, also partook in the celebration. The group later went out to buy more vodka, according to BirminghamLive.

The victim appeared to be in good spirits during a FaceTime call with his brother at 4.34pm, stated the court. However, less than an hour later, disturbing noises prompted neighbors to alert the police. Arriving at the scene at 5.45pm, the police discovered Mr. Mattox unconscious on the floor. He had suffered severe fractures to his face and skull followed by brain damage leading to organ failure.

Mr. Mattox passed away a fortnight later on May 24. A forensic pathologist from the Home Office claimed that there must have been ‘at least three heavy blows to the head’, consistent with kicking. Upon police’s arrival to the scene, Tanga informed them that the victim was a homosexual. He later justified his actions by saying that the victim had made advances towards him.

Tanga’s second victim bore bruises and scratches from an assault at Mr Mattox’s residence. The timing of the injuries is uncertain, but the victim has now completely recovered.

West Midlands Police stated that Tanga hindered officers from entering the victim’s apartment for seven minutes after they got there. He also reportedly tried to escape.

In court, the prosecution represented by Andrew Wallace, said there was an absence of fatal intent, however, there was an aim of inflicting serious physical harm. According to him, the brutality of the murder was escalated by Tanga’s ‘hostility’ towards his victim’s sexual preference.

The defense, headed by Amjad Malik KC, argued that the victim, Mr Mattox, made a sexual move on his killer, which triggered an ‘out of proportion’ reaction from the ‘highly inebriated’ Tanga. It was reported that Tanga was asked to vacate the apartment as he was ‘no longer wanted’, but he declined and ‘reacted with explosive aggression’, as stated by Mr Malik.

The defense continued to assert that Tanga did not harbor homophobic feelings and that the victim’s sexual preference did not trigger his violence. Mr Malik stated: “The facts clearly indicate that Tanga had known Mr Mattox for a number of years. There was absolutely no issue.”

Judge Chambers stated that the ‘extreme violence’ exhibited by Tanga was largely due to his ‘hostility’ towards the victim’s ‘sexual orientation’. According to the judge, this severe attack was much more than a simple reaction to a sexual advance.

The statement made to the jury indicated that the act was inspired and motivated by a negative attitude towards Mr Mattox’s sexual orientation. And the gathered evidence supports this conclusion.

The court was informed that Tanga, who was aided by a Russian interpreter in court, had a history of violent behavior. For several years, Tanga has suffered from a form of psychotic disorder, likely paranoid schizophrenia, the judge further mentioned.

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