A man who fatally stabbed a victim during a violent altercation near Faversham has been convicted of murder. William Cosier, 34, was found guilty on Wednesday, 9 October, at Canterbury Crown Court following the incident in Boughton-under-Blean in March 2024.

On the evening of 13 March, Cosier had been at the Queens Head pub on The Street with associates. Around 10:30 p.m., Adam Pritchard entered the premises and spoke to Cosier. The conversation quickly escalated into a violent exchange, with Cosier throwing a punch at Pritchard. After further blows, Cosier raised a bar stool over his head, prompting Pritchard to leave the pub.

Undeterred, Cosier retrieved a 22cm knife from the pub’s kitchen despite a staff member urging him to stop. He then followed Pritchard outside, concealing the knife behind his back. Outside the pub, Pritchard, now armed with a BB gun, fired in Cosier’s direction as the situation escalated further.

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The pair fought in the road, causing a passing minibus to swerve. Pritchard attempted to back away, but Cosier pursued him and stabbed him. Pritchard, 35, suffered two stab wounds and eventually collapsed as two individuals tried to rush him to the hospital in a black Peugeot. They flagged down an ambulance, but despite the paramedics’ efforts, Pritchard was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the incident, Cosier fled in his white Mercedes but turned himself into Canterbury Police Station the next day. He was charged with murder on 16 March by the Crown Prosecution Service, along with possession of a knife in a public place.

Despite pleading not guilty, Cosier was convicted after a trial. He is set to be sentenced on 1 November 2024.

Detective Inspector Lee Neiles, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, praised the witnesses who helped bring Cosier to justice. “Cosier had plenty of opportunity to de-escalate the confrontation. Instead, he armed himself with a large knife and continued to target his victim, who was backing away. I hope his conviction brings some closure to the grieving family.

Cosier now faces a lengthy prison sentence for the fatal attack.