Accused sent text about killing landlord - court

Stephanie Langley is accused of murdering Matthew Bryant, her former brother-in law

A woman accused of murdering a Maidstone pub landlord sent a text saying “I will also kill him” on the day of his death, a court heard.

Stephanie Langley is on trial accused of stabbing to death Matthew Bryant, her former brother-in law, in September.

She denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.

The prosecution said Mr Bryant, who ran the Hare and Hounds pub, was stabbed three times with a large kitchen knife by Ms Langley.

The attack was described as "impulsive, irrational, but deliberate and intentional".

Maidstone Crown Court heard from Ms Langley’s son, Cameron Langley-McColm.

A few months before Mr Bryant died, he’d been at the pub when his mother turned up and was "upset and very shocked" when she saw the landlord.

She explained she knew him from a long time back, claiming he’d raped a woman she knew.

On 11 September, the day Mr Bryant died, the court heard Ms Langley sent a series of text messages to her son.

They included her saying she was "very down" and that she needed "time out".

Other messages mentioned someone her son assumed was Mr Bryant, followed by a final message which read: "I will also kill him."

Cameron Langley-McColm told the court: "You never really think that anyone means that.

"It’s just a phrase some people use. I didn’t think anything of it."

He said his mother had been "stressed and upset" over family and financial matters.

The court also heard from Mr Langley-McColm's girlfriend Shannon Cooney, who described arriving after the stabbing had taken place.

She said she saw Ms Langley sitting on a bench looking "very empty like there was no one there".

Despite the efforts of paramedics, Mr Bryant’s life couldn’t be saved.

The trial continues.