A woman has appeared in court and denied murdering a pub landlord.

Matthew Bryant died after being fatally wounded at the Hare and Hounds in Maidstone on Monday, September 11 last year.

Stephanie Langley, 54, has been charged with his murder and is now expecting to go on trial on April 8 at Maidstone Crown Court.

Her barrister Danny Moore told Judge Julian Smith that the defence of diminished responsibility would not arise during the case.

But Langley, of Wilsons Lane, East Farleigh, admitted illegally possessing a kitchen knife at the pub in Lower Boxley Road.

The judge reprimanded people sitting in the public gallery after hearing an audible reaction as Mr Moore explained the possible defence that she had a loss of control.

Langley, wearing a green jumper, was remanded into custody after her lawyers were told they had to submit a document next month outlining her defence.

On September 11, police and medics were called to the town centre pub where a large cordon was put in place between the roundabout at Staceys Street and the J&S Accessories shop.

Langley, who was known to Mr Bryant, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and later charged.

Following Mr Bryant’s death, people have paid respect to the landlord who took over the Hare and Hounds in 2015.

He had been a pub landlord for 25 years and also had long experience as a door supervisor, off and on for 30 years.