Man denies murder of missing Kent man found dead in rural East Sussex spot

Stephen Castle from Kent is due to stand trial in April

Author: Ryan Burrows and Anahita Hossein-Pour, PAPublished 2nd Jan 2025

A 59-year-old man has denied murdering a Kent man found dead in a rural spot in East Sussex, days after he was reported missing.

Stephen Castle, of Matfield in Kent, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Wayne Woodgate.

The 54-year-old, from Tunbridge Wells, was found dead by police officers investigating his disappearance in Peasmarsh on October 23rd last year.

He had been reported missing on October 17th, when he was last seen in the Goods Station Road area of the town.

A hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday set a trial date for April 22nd.

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Kate Thornton

Greatest Hits Radio (Sussex)