Murder conviction over “long-standing grudge”

A convicted criminal has been found guilty of murdering the man he blamed for sending him to prison.

Stephen Castle had a chance encounter with Wayne Woodgate in the centre of Tunbridge Wells on 17 October 2024 and was then seen by witnesses arguing with him, before driving off with him. Wayne’s body was found in undergrowth just off a main road near Peasmarsh. He had been strangled.

The victim had previously told his stepson that he was worried about ever seeing Castle again, as he thought Castle was “after him” and believed that he had 'grassed' on him.

After first claiming in police interviews that he had left Wayne Woodgate safe and well, Castle changed his story and admitted that he had killed him, saying that it was unintentional.

Will Bodiam of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Stephen Castle’s account of what happened on that fateful day changed continually during police interviews.

“He first said that he had left the victim safe and well, before eventually changing his story and admitting the killing, but even then, he continued to lie about where he killed Wayne and repeatedly claimed that it was unintentional. 

“Despite Castle continuing to maintain that he wasn’t a 'cold killer', the forensic evidence told a different story in terms of the force and pressure he used to kill his victim.

“This was not a man who suddenly snapped, this was a man who intended to kill, fuelled by a long-standing grudge and what he believed to be a previous betrayal.

“We hope this verdict brings some small comfort for Wayne’s family.”