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A man who strangled another to death following a chance encounter in Tunbridge Wells has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Stephen Castle, 60, will serve a minimum of 25 years behind bars for the murder of Wayne Woodgate.
The court heard that on October 17, 2024, Mr. Woodgate was walking on Goods Station Road at approximately 3:30pm when he was confronted by Castle who reportedly held a long-standing grudge against the victim,. He threatened Mr. Woodgate and forced him into a Peugeot van driven by an accomplice.
Concerned witnesses alerted police, who tracked the van to Castle’s home in Hastings Road, near Matfield. Castle was initially arrested for kidnap, claiming he had met Mr. Woodgate to exchange drugs and then released him safely. However, officers located a second vehicle, a Renault Trafic hire van, next to Castle’s property. Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras revealed this van left his home at 4:15pm and headed towards a remote location in East Sussex.
Extensive CCTV investigations led police to Mr. Woodgate’s body the following day. He was discovered in woodland off the A268 in Peasmarsh, East Sussex. Evidence showed he had been murdered with a ligature shortly after being driven to Castle’s home. Castle was rearrested on October 22 on suspicion of murder. At Maidstone Crown Court, he admitted to killing Mr. Woodgate but pleaded guilty to manslaughter, claiming a lack of intent. However, a jury found him guilty of murder by unanimous verdict.
Sentencing Castle at the same court on Friday, June 26, the judge mandated a minimum term of 25 years before he can apply for parole, minus time already spent on remand.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber, said:
‘Stephen Castle is a callous individual responsible for a deeply disturbing and utterly senseless act of violence that has robbed a family of a much-loved father and grandfather.
‘Castle went to great lengths to conceal the victim’s body, all the while carrying on as if nothing had happened and after returning from Peasmarsh even went straight to his local pub for a drink.
‘No one should ever have to endure the pain of losing a loved one in such a brutal manner and I only hope now Wayne’s family and friends can take some comfort now Castle has been sentenced.’