Chilling moment murderer jokes with police that his victim 'is under my bed in my flat' - as he is convicted of grabbing man off the street and choking him to death
A murderer who joked with police about the whereabouts of his victim, telling officers in a chilling moment 'He's under my bed in my flat', has been convicted.
Stephen Castle was yesterday convicted of murdering Wayne Woodgate, 54, after a chance meeting in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
The 59-year-old strangled Mr Woodgate, described as a 'much-loved' father and grandfather, over claims the latter was a 'grass'.
During the trial, it emerged the killing was driven by a long-held grudge, with Castle blaming Woodgate for tipping off police in 2015.
Castle had previously served seven and a half years in prison after firearms were discovered in his home during a police raid.
Released bodycam footage shows Castle maintaining a surprisingly casual demeanor as officers told him he was under arrest for kidnap.
A further clip then shows an officer carrying out an 'urgent interview' to try find the whereabouts of Mr Woodgate, at the end of which Castle says: 'He is under my bed in my flat'.
The pair had not seen each other for 10 years before meeting in Tunbridge Wells at around 3:30pm on October 17, 2024.
Wayne Woodgate was walking along Goods Station Road in the town centre when Stephen Castle confronted him.
Castle threatened Woodgate and forced him into a Peugeot van driven by another man, the trial heard.
Concerned witnesses saw the incident and called the police, who then tracked the van to Castle's home on Hastings Road, near Matfield.
Castle was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and initially claimed he had met Woodgate to exchange drugs and insisted the victim had been safely dropped off nearby.
Officers later found a hired Renault Trafic van parked outside Castle's address.
Number plate recognition cameras showed the van leaving Castle's home at 4:15pm, heading toward a remote spot in East Sussex.
Although initially released on bail, Castle was rearrested on October 22 on suspicion of murder.
While in custody Castle protested about leaving his cell for an interview, saying: 'There's no point, I may as well go straight to prison; I'm going to do 25 years anyway'.
CCTV enquiries led officers to Mr Woodgate's body, which was found on the following day in woodland off the A268 in Peasmarsh.
He had been murdered with a ligature, police said, shortly after meeting Castle who had driven him to his home.
At Maidstone Crown Court, Castle admitted killing his victim but claimed he had not intended to do so. He denied a charge of murder and pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
A trial took place which concluded on May 28, 2025, when a jury found him guilty of murder by unanimous verdict.
The trial was told the killing was the result of a 'long-standing grudge' held by Castle, who blamed Mr Woodgate for 'grassing'.
Castle will be sentenced at the same court on June 26.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber, said:'Stephen Castle brutally killed a man he knew over a disagreement they had in the past.
'His actions after they met by chance in Tunbridge Wells were determined, ruthless and ultimately led to the senseless death of a much-loved father and grandfather.
'Castle has left a family in deep mourning and I only hope this conviction allows them some form of closure.
'I would like to thank the witnesses who assisted our investigation and ultimately helped us bring this violent criminal to justice.'
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