Man jailed for life for pub stabbing murder

William Cosier has been jailed for life for the murder of Adam Pritchard

A man has been jailed for life for stabbing another man to death outside a pub.

William Cosier, 34 and from Well Lane, Canterbury, was convicted of the murder of Adam Pritchard, who he attacked outside the Queens Head pub in Boughton-under-Blean near Faversham, Kent in March.

Cosier had denied murder but was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court on 9 October and sentenced on Friday.

He will serve a minimum of 24 years.

Cosier killed Mr Pritchard with a knife taken from the pub kitchen.

The men had grappled outside following an argument in the pub, in which they exchanged punches and Cosier raised a bar stool above his head.

Police said Mr Pritchard had been armed with a BB gun, which he fired towards Cosier.

Two people put Mr Pritchard in the back of a car in an attempt to drive him to hospital, but then flagged down a passing ambulance.

He was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

Adam Pritchard was stabbed outside the Queens Head in Boughton-under-Blean

Det Insp Lee Neiles, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "Today’s sentencing will not bring Adam back, but I hope it offers some form of justice to his family, who have been left devastated by the events of that fateful night.

"Cosier armed himself with a deadly weapon and instead of walking away from an altercation he used it to inflict fatal injuries which led to the death of a man with a young family.

"Cosier is a violent man who chose to arm himself in order to cause as much injury as possible, despite Adam seen backing away several times.

"He denied the charges and caused the family to endure a trial where they were subjected to listening to the full details and I’d like to commend their courage and dignity in how they conducted themselves throughout this case."