THE FAMILY of tragic Jay Jay Taylor who was murdered in a Darwen bar released balloons on the anniversary of his death.

His mother, Vicky Taylor, also posted a moving tribute to the 23-year-old on the Life of Jay Jay Taylor Facebook page.

Mrs Taylor wrote: “One year an angel. A never-ending nightmare. Every second of every day my heart aches. The flashbacks, the nightmares. I still can’t believe you are gone and I never will, Jay Jay Taylor.”

Mr Taylor suffered catastrophic injuries and died in hospital after being stabbed with a champagne flute by 45-year-old Jack James Costello at the former Esco-Bar in Darwen in January last year.

For the attack Costello, of Victoria Street, Rishton, was jailed for life and told he will serve a minimum of 19 years before being eligible for parole.

Following a trial at Preston Crown Court, a jury took six-and-a-half hours to find him guilty of murder by a majority of 10 to two.

Jailing Costello, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Mark Brown, said: “This was undoubtedly unprovoked violence of the worst kind and it ended in the death of a relatively young and wholly innocent man who was doing no harm to anybody. It is clear that Jay Jay was full of life, easygoing and didn’t have a care.

“When it comes to his family and friends there can be no doubt that they have lost a thoroughly dedicated, completely decent person and family man who they can be truly very proud of.”

A second man, Kayle Smith, 30, of Vale Street, Darwen, was jailed for 16 months after pleading guilty to assaulting Mr Taylor minutes before he suffered the fatal stab injury.

Last month a petition to ban glasses in bars and pubs across Blackburn and Darwen reached more than 10,000 signatures.

The ‘Trash the Glass’ campaign was launched in the wake of Mr Taylor’s murder and aims to ban the use of glasses in bars and pubs after 10pm. After that point, drinks would only be served in plastic containers.

The petition can be viewed by visiting https://you.38degrees.org.uk and searching ‘Trash the Glass’.