Homophobic killer who savagely beat a gay man to death in a 'vodka-fuelled' onslaught to 'show him he was a man' after believing his carer, 56, had made a pass at him is jailed for life

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'.

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 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 earlier 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 even 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 convict 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.'

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.