'Cold killer' who strangled a grandad to death found guilty
A man who strangled a "much-loved" grandfather and then dumped his body in undergrowth has been found guilty of murder. Stephen Castle, 59, killed 54-year-old Wayne Woodgate following a chance encounter in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Maidstone Crown Court heard that Castle had a longstanding grudge against Mr Woodgate, blaming him for a police raid on his home several years earlier which led to him going to jail. Mr Woodgate had told his stepson he feared ever seeing Castle again, believing he was "after him" as he thought he had grassed on him, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
'Intended to kill'
The jury was shown CCTV footage during the trial of Castle driving past Mr Woodgate in Goods Station Road on 17 October 2024. Kent Police said "concerned witnesses" saw Castle arguing with his victim before he threatened Mr Woodgate and another man forced him into a van. Castle then drove Mr Woodgate to his home, where they were alone, and strangled him to death, the prosecution said in court. Mr Woodgate's body was found six days later just off a main road near Peasmarsh, East Sussex, the CPS said.
Will Bodiam from the CPS said Castle was not someone who "suddenly snapped". "This was a man who intended to kill," he said. Mr Bodiam continued that, although Castle maintained he was not a "cold killer", "forensic evidence told a different story in terms of the force and pressure he used to kill his victim."
Man 'strangled victim out of anger', court hears
After initially claiming to police he left Mr Woodgate safe and well, Castle changed his story and admitted he killed him, according to the CPS. "Even then, he [Castle] continued to lie about where he killed Wayne and repeatedly claimed that it was unintentional," said Mr Bodian. Kent Police called Mr Woodgate a "much-loved father and grandfather". "Castle has left a family in deep mourning," said the force's senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Neil Kimber. "I only hope this conviction allows them some form of closure." Castle is due to be sentenced on 26 June.
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