Man strangled victim and dumped body in East Sussex woodland, court hears
A man has been found guilty of murder after strangling a grandfather from Tunbridge Wells and dumping his body in remote woodland in East Sussex.
Stephen Castle, 59, was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court of the murder of Wayne Woodgate, 54, following a chance encounter that spiralled into kidnap and fatal violence.
Timeline of the Crime
On the afternoon of 17 October 2024, Mr Woodgate was walking along Goods Station Road in Tunbridge Wells when he was confronted by Castle, who was reportedly harbouring a long-standing grudge.
Castle, with the assistance of another man driving a Peugeot van, forced Mr Woodgate into the vehicle and transported him to Castle’s home in Hastings Road, near Matfield.
Witnesses alerted the police, leading officers to Castle’s home, where he was initially arrested for kidnap. At the time, he claimed the meeting was a drug exchange and that the victim had been left unharmed elsewhere.
However, CCTV footage and ANPR data later showed a hire vehicle, a Renault Trafic, leaving Castle’s home and travelling towards Peasmarsh in East Sussex.
Body Discovered, Castle Rearrested
On 23 October, police discovered Mr Woodgate’s body in a wooded area near the A268 in Peasmarsh. He had been strangled with a ligature, confirming police suspicions of foul play.
Castle was <strong>re-arrested on suspicion of murder the previous day. While in custody, he reportedly said: “There’s no point [in an interview], I may as well go straight to prison; I’m going to do 25 years anyway.”
Guilty Verdict Delivered
Castle admitted killing Mr Woodgate but claimed it was manslaughter, not murder. The jury rejected his defence, returning a unanimous guilty verdict for murder on 28 May 2025.
He is due to be sentenced on 26 June 2025 at the same court.
Police Reaction
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber of Kent Police said:
“Stephen Castle brutally killed a man he knew over a disagreement they had in the past. His actions 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.”
