Taxi Driver Online

11 Feb 2008

Knifeman's murderous revenge attack

A KNIFEMAN murdered a 29-year-old in a revenge attack after a party at
the victim's house descended into violence.

Craig Cosgrove stabbed Steven Taylor after he had assaulted another
man at his home in Primrose Terrace, Darwen, on August 18.

Cosgrove, 33, of Newton Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to murder before
a trial was due to begin at Preston Crown Court yesterday.

Rodney Kay, 37, of Rose Street, Darwen, who had been involved in the
earlier fight, pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Both men will be sentenced on March 10.

A third defendant, taxi driver Lee Martin, 37, of Westwell Street, Darwen,
pleaded guilty to a charge of assisting an offender, in taking Cosgrove and
Kay from the scene of the stabbing.

He was given an 11 month prison sentence.

The court heard that on August 17, Steven Taylor and others, including
Kay, had been drinking in various pubs at Darwen.

Later, Mr Taylor suggested that a number of people go back to his house
on Primrose Terrace.

Mr Andrew O'Byrne QC, prosecuting, said that some sort of disagreement
took place between Steven Taylor and Rodney Kay.

"That ended up with a fight in the street, during which Kay got very much
the worst of the exchange. He lost a number of his front teeth and
suffered other injuries as well", said the Crown.

Kay then telephoned Cosgrove. Cosgrove arrived at the premises in a taxi
driven by Lee Martin.

Police, who were at the scene, were anxious to calm people down and
Martin agreed that he should take Cosgrove and Kay away in the taxi.

They returned some time later. In the house, Mr Taylor was stabbed and
ultimately it cost him his life, said Mr O'Byrne.

"Kay and Cosgrove emerged, along with others who had been at the
party.

They and others were driven away by the taxi driver, Martin.

"It was obvious to Mr Martin that violence had occurred. He accepts he
should not have driven away."

Judge Anthony Russell QC told Cosgrove: "There is only one sentence
available to the court, one of life imprisonment.

"I have to determine how long you should serve".

He told Kay "You have admitted a serious offence. You must recognise you
will be facing a lengthy term of imprisonment. The question is whether it
should be a defined term, or an indefinite sentence.

Following his death, Steven's family issued a statement saying that his
family and friends were the most important things in his life and he was
fiercely loyal.

They added: "He would have done anything for those he cared about. He
was fond of children and it is sad he will never be able to have a family of
his own.

"He was never miserable and always had a smile or joke when anyone
needed cheering up.

"Steven always lived his life to the full, living day to day rather than
worrying about tomorrow. He took each day as it came, making sure he
enjoyed every minute of his life."

Steven left behind his mother, Pat, and his siblings Harry, Paul, Tricia,
Joanna and Andrew.

Source: Blackburn Citizen