A tragic tale unfolded in Maidstone Crown Court as details emerged of a fatal stabbing at the Hare and Hounds pub last September. Matthew Bryant, the pub’s landlord, lost his life in a horrific incident involving his ex-sister-in-law, Stephanie Langley.
According to testimonies presented to the murder jury, Bryant made a frantic 999 call seconds before Langley attacked him outside the pub. The call remained connected as Langley allegedly stabbed Bryant three times with a large kitchen knife, inflicting fatal wounds. Despite efforts to save him, Bryant’s injuries proved unsurvivable.
The court heard chilling accounts of Langley’s demeanour both during and after the attack. Witnesses reported Langley expressing satisfaction over Bryant’s death, even while she was under arrest. Langley allegedly made threats to kill Bryant in messages sent to her son earlier that evening, setting a grim backdrop to the fatal encounter.
Langley’s presence at the fateful day pub marked her first contact with Bryant in over two decades. Witnesses described her behaviour as erratic and filled with rage. Langley’s personal and financial struggles, compounded by family disputes and alcohol consumption, seemed to have fueled her anger, making Bryant the unfortunate target of her wrath.
CCTV footage played in court captured the chilling moments leading up to the attack. Bryant, attempting to defuse the situation, offered Langley the chance to speak to the police herself. However, instead of engaging with Police Langley allegedly knocked the phone from Bryant’s hand and proceeded to stab him.
Prosecutors painted a damning picture of Langley’s intentions, citing her repeated threats and the manner in which she carried out the attack. They argued that Langley’s actions demonstrated a clear intent to cause harm or even kill Bryant, making her guilty of murder.
As the trial unfolds, the jury faces the daunting task of weighing the evidence and determining Langley’s culpability in Bryant’s tragic death. The proceedings are expected to last two to three weeks as both sides present their case before the court.
