Woman jailed for life for murder of pub landlord

Stephanie Langley was jailed for life for the murder of Matthew Bryant

A woman who murdered a pub landlord she was once related to has been jailed for life.

Stephanie Langley, 55, from East Farleigh, Kent, was convicted earlier this month of the murder of Matthew Bryant.

The court heard she stabbed her former brother-in-law with a kitchen knife outside the Hare and Hounds public house, in Maidstone, on 11 September 2023.

She was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday and will serve a minimum of 24 years.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens said Langley’s motive had been one of revenge.

He told her: "You retrieved the knife with an intent to kill Matthew Bryant.

"You have tried in your own mind to justify and explain the unexplainable. You are a highly intelligent lady, but a manipulating one."

Langley showed no emotion as she was sentenced.

The trial hearing was told Langley had gone to the pub and had told a customer: "Get a drink while he is still alive."

The court heard she had also said to Mr Bryant: "You're dead tonight."

CCTV footage showed the pair arguing outside the pub as Mr Bryant called the police.

Moments later Langley knocked the phone from his hand and stabbed him three times.

He was able to tell the 999 operator he had been stabbed.

Jurors previously heard Langley had claimed Mr Bryant had raped a woman she knew, a claim he and his family deny.

Matthew Bryant was stabbed three times with a kitchen knife outside his pub

Mr Bryant’s widow Caroline read a victim-impact statement to the court.

She said: "I love Matt and I just want him back. I watched him die in front of me.

"I lost my soul mate, my best friend and the love of my life. I feel so lost and alone without him."

Mr Bryant’s mother, Valerie Hobson, said: ‘I can’t remember the last time I didn’t cry myself to sleep or have terror nightmares about how my son suffered.

"(Langley) not only murdered my own son but has stabbed me through my heart. I am dead inside.’

Det Chf Insp David Higham said: "Langley murdered a much-loved husband and popular landlord in cold blood.

"She planned her attack, stashing the murder weapon in her car ahead of her trip to the Hare and Hounds that evening.

"I hope that Mr Bryant’s friends and family can grieve their loss, knowing that justice has been served against the person responsible for his death."