Thaxted man convicted of murder after violent assault in victim’s garden
51-year-old, Kevin Horswill, has been convicted of murder after assault in Orchard Close.
Last updated 28th Jan 2025
A 51-year-old man from Thaxted has been convicted of murder after a violent assault in the victim’s own garden.
Kevin Horswill, of Magdalen Green in the village, had been at The Star public house in Mill End on the evening of 17 March 2024 when Richard Langley arrived.
During the course of the evening the two were involved in an altercation before 52-year-old Richard left.
Richard can be seen on CCTV walking the dog in the village later that evening, when Horswill appears shortly after on the same cameras walking the same route before fatally assaulting him in the garden of his address in Orchard Close.
Witnesses reported hearing this assault and members of the public came to assist with CPR while paramedics rushed to try and help Richard.
Horswill was arrested at his address in the early hours of 18 March and was taken into custody following hospital treatment.
He was later charged with murder and was remanded in custody.
Horswill tried to deny he instigated the assault at his trial at Chelmsford crown Court, but the jury refused to believe he acted in self-defence and convicted him of murder by majority verdict on 28 January 2025.
Detective Superintendent Ant Alcock said: “My thoughts and condolences remain with Richard’s loved ones as they have done throughout this investigation.
“This has been a complex and detailed investigation – it is important the jury have reached their verdict today and I’d like to thank them for their role in this trial.
“Horswill carried out a violent and premeditated attack, spurred on by an argument at a pub just hours before.
“His argument of self-defence was completely undermined by the case built by our skilled investigators, which left the jury in no doubt he was guilty.
“We now await his sentencing.”
Det Supt Alcock added: “This case was only made so strong by the work of dozens of officers carrying out enquires, taking witness statement and gathering the forensic evidence to make a complete picture of the events of that evening"
“I’d also ask the privacy of Richard’s family is respected at this time.”
Horswill has been remanded in custody until his sentencing at Chelmsford Crown court on 29 January 2025.