A jury has convicted a woman of murder after she stabbed a man to death outside a pub in Maidstone.
Stephanie Langley fatally wounded 52-year-old Matthew Bryant, her former brother-in-law, three times with a kitchen knife during an unprovoked attack.
The assault took place at around 6pm on Monday 11th September 2023 in Lower Boxley Road.
Maidstone Crown Court heard how just 20 minutes before the fatal attack, Langley had driven to the Hare and Hounds public house and argued with Mr Bryant.
The attack was described by the prosecution as “impulsive, irrational, but deliberate and intentional”.
The court heard Langley had gone to the Hare and Hounds pub on 11th September 2023 and had told a customer: “Get a drink while he is still alive.”
The court heard she had also said to Mr Bryant: “You’re dead tonight.”
Langley then walked out of the pub saying to a customer as she left: “Do you like that pub? Do you like the people in there? You won’t be going in there no more, because it’s going to be shut.”
Upon leaving, Langley drove to Maidstone East train station and removed a large kitchen knife from her car before returning to the scene.
Mr Bryant was outside the pub on the phone to 999 operators reporting the earlier argument when Langley returned, approached him and knocked the device to the floor.
The victim turned and bent down to retrieve his phone and, as he stood up, Langley stabbed him in the back twice. She then struck a fatal blow to his chest.
Mr Bryant can be heard on the 999 call saying: “I have just been stabbed.” Passers-by attempted to give him first aid, and a passing ambulance was flagged down, but Mr Bryant was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses reported hearing Langley say: “I hope he’s dead.”
Kent Police officers arrested her at the scene a short while afterwards. When she learned of his death at the police station she said: “I’m glad he’s dead.”
Two days later, Langley, of Wilsons Lane, East Farleigh, was charged with murder and possessing a knife in a public place.
thanks to those who witnessed this tragic incident and had the courage to help the police
The 54-year-old denied murdering Mr Bryant but pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon. Jurors previously heard Ms Langley had claimed Mr Bryant had raped a woman she knew. She was convicted of the murder on Wednesday 1st May 2024, following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.
Langley remains remanded in custody and a date for sentencing at the same court will be fixed on 7th May.
Detective Constable Hannah Crittenden, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said ‘Matthew Bryant was a much-loved husband and popular landlord, and his murder was carried out in cold blood by a calculating offender. ‘Langley set about carrying out a violent and unprovoked attack on her victim, in broad daylight in front of horrified customers, with little regard to the consequences’.