'Cold killer' who strangled a grandad found guilty

The CPS said Castle "intended to kill" Mr Woodgate

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.

"Today marks the beginning of a never-ending and lonely road of incarceration for the bully that took the life of Wayne," said Mr Woodgate's family outside Maidstone Crown Court.

"But make no mistake this verdict does nothing to restore fairness," they added.

"Nothing can make us whole again."

The jury heard that Castle had a longstanding grudge against Mr Woodgate, blaming him for a past police raid on his home that led to him being jailed.

Mr Woodgate had told his stepson he feared Castle 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.

Mr Woodgate (pictured) was killed in 2024

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."

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.

• Man 'strangled victim out of anger', court hears

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."

The family said in a statement read out by Mr Woodgate's son George that it was "impossible to put into words" what kind of man he was.

"He was larger than life. He was a socialite. He was the man who kept us together."

"He will absolutely be missed forever," they added.

Castle is due to be sentenced on 26 June.