Man charged with murder after body found in woodland

Date: 2024-10-25
Police vehiclesa re seen on the scene
A large wooded area has been cordoned off (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)

A 59-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Kent man Wayne Woodgate, whose body was found two days ago in East Sussex.

Stephen Castle has been remanded in custody by magistrates in Sevenoaks, Kent, in relation to the murder of Wayne Woodgate, 54. He will appear in court today.

A spokesman for Kent Police said today: ‘On Wednesday an investigation into his disappearance led officers to a rural location in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, where a body was located and which has been identified as Mr Woodgate.

‘Stephen Castle, aged 59 years, of Hastings Road, Matfield, was arrested on the previous day. He has been charged with murder and remanded in custody. He will appear before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court.’

Yesterday, a woodland area was cordoned off as police launched their murder investigation.

Detectives investigating the disappearance of 54-year-old Wayne Woodgate from Tunbridge Wells have escalated the case to a murder investigation after locating a body in East Sussex. Mr. Woodgate was reported missing on Thursday, 17 October 2024, after he was last seen entering a van on Goods Station Road. Kent Police had previously issued an appeal for information in hopes of finding him. On Wednesday, 23 October, officers attended a rural location in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, where they discovered a body. While formal identification has yet to be completed, Mr. Woodgate???s family has been informed of the development. A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody as detectives continue their inquiries. To aid the investigation, police are appealing for motorists who may have travelled on the A268 between Peasmarsh and Four Oaks to provide dashcam footage. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber emphasized the importance of footage from specific timeframes, particularly between 5:15 pm and 5:45 pm on Thursday, 17 October, and between 8:15 am and 8:45 am on Sunday, 20 October. Detective Chief Inspector Kimber said, ???We are specifically requesting any dashcam footage for these journeys, as well as CCTV and doorbell camera images. This material can be uploaded through the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) using the provided online link.??? Anyone with additional information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact police on 01622 652006, quoting reference 46/179489/24. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or using their online anonymous form. Police continue to appeal for the public's assistance as they piece together the events leading up to Mr. Woodgate???s disappearance.
Wayne Woodgate was reported missing on October 17 (Picture: UKNIP)

Dash-cam footage could provide murder squad detectives with vital clues to the killing of Woodgate, who was last seen getting into a van a week ago before his body was discovered.

Although missing from his home in Kent, Mr Woodgate’s body was found in East Sussex this week.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: ‘Detectives searching for a man missing from Tunbridge Wells are now treating his disappearance as a murder investigation.

‘Inquires to locate 54-year-old Wayne Woodgate have led to the recovery of a body in East Sussex and the arrest of a suspect.

‘Mr Woodgate had been reported missing on October 17. An appeal to help find him was previously issued by Kent Police, following a report he was last seen entering a van in Goods Station Road.

‘Yesterday officers attended a rural location in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, where a body was located.

Forensic teams
Forensic teams are at the scene (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)

‘Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of Mr Woodgate have been informed.

‘A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

‘To assist the investigation, police are appealing for dash-cam footage from motorists who may have recently travelled on the A268 between Peasmarsh and Four Oaks.’

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