A Kent man will be sentenced next month for the murder of Wayne Woodgate whose body was found in Peasmarsh in October last year. Stephen Castle’s trial concluded on May 28 when a jury found him guilty of murder by unanimous verdict at Maidstone Crown Court.
Castle killed Tunbridge Wells grandfather Wayne Woodgate following a chance encounter in the town centre which led to him being forced into a van. At around 3.30pm on October 17 2024, Mr Woodgate, 54, was walking in Goods Station Road when he was confronted by Castle, who bore a long-standing grudge against the victim.
He was threatened by Castle and made to enter a Peugeot van driven by another man. The altercation was seen by concerned witnesses who called police and the van was tracked to Castle’s home in Hastings Road, near Matfield.
Castle was arrested for kidnap and initially claimed he had met the victim to exchange drugs insisting Mr Woodgate had been left safe at a nearby location in the town.
Officers located a hire vehicle next to Castle’s address, a Renault van. Analysis of automatic number plate recognition cameras showed the vehicle had left his home at 4.15pm and travelled towards East Sussex.
Castle was initially bailed but re-arrested on October 22 on suspicion of murder. Whilst in custody Castle protested about leaving his cell for an interview saying: “There’s no point, I may as well go straight to prison…I’m going to do 25 years anyway.”
Extensive CCTV enquiries led officers to Mr Woodgate’s body, which was found on the following day in woodland off the A268 in Peasmarsh.
At Maidstone Crown Court, Castle, 59, admitted killing his victim but claimed he had not intended to do so. He denied a charge of murder and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The jury found him guilty with a unanimous verdict. Castle will be sentenced at the same court on June 26.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber from Kent Police, said: “Stephen Castle brutally killed a man he knew over a disagreement they had in the past. His actions after they met by chance in Tunbridge Wells were determined, ruthless and ultimately led to the senseless death of a much-loved father and grandfather. Castle has left a family in deep mourning and I only hope this conviction allows them some form of closure. I would like to thank the witnesses who assisted our investigation and ultimately helped us bring this violent criminal to justice.”
Image Credits: Kent Police .