A Canterbury man has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 25 years, for the fatal stabbing of another man following a heated altercation outside a village pub. William Cosier, 34, of Well Lane, Canterbury, was found guilty of murder on 9 October 2024, and was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 1 November.
The court heard how the tragic incident unfolded on 13 March outside the Queens Head pub in Boughton-under-Blean. Cosier had been at the pub with friends when Adam Pritchard, 35, entered around 10:30 pm. A brief conversation between the two quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, with both men exchanging punches. During the scuffle, Cosier raised a bar stool in a threatening manner, prompting Pritchard to leave the bar and wait outside.
Ignoring the pleas of a staff member, Cosier went to the pub’s kitchen, armed himself with a 22cm-bladed knife, and followed Pritchard outside, concealing the weapon behind his back. As Pritchard backed away, Cosier pursued him, and the altercation continued on the street. At one point, Pritchard reportedly fired a BB gun in Cosier’s direction, but this did not deter him.
The fight spilt into the road, where a passing minibus had to swerve to avoid the men. Witnesses reported seeing Cosier attack Pritchard, who eventually staggered back toward the pub with two stab wounds. Two bystanders attempted to drive Pritchard to the hospital, but they flagged down an ambulance en route. Despite the paramedic’s efforts, Pritchard was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the incident, Cosier fled in a white Mercedes, leaving the scene with visible bloodstains on his clothing. He later turned himself in at Canterbury Police Station on 14 March. Following an investigation, Cosier was charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place on 16 March.
Detective Inspector Lee Neiles, who led the investigation, expressed sympathy for Pritchard’s family, saying, “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.”
DI Neiles described Cosier as a “violent man” who “chose to arm himself in order to cause as much injury as possible, despite Adam backing away several times.” He commended Pritchard’s family for their courage and dignity throughout the trial, where they had to endure the full details of the case.
The sentencing brings closure to a case that has left the community and Pritchard’s family mourning the loss of a man described as a loving father and friend.
