A man will be jailed for life next month after admitting murdering a fisheries boss in a brutal shooting.

Simon Olsen blasted former Medway firefighter Steve Langley in the stomach in Lower Road, Tonge, near Teynham, on November 29 last year.

Homeless Olsen, 54, is thought to have held a long-standing grudge against the victim, who ran Bax Farm Fisheries lake in Tonge, close to the murder scene.

He was expected to deny the charge and his case had been transferred to Woolwich Crown Court in south east London for trial on May 12.

But bearded Olsen entered his guilty plea when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today.

Prosecutor Oliver Duncan said a decision would be made about a second charge involving a firearm, but said: “It adds nothing to the overall picture.”

Paul Jackson, defending, said: “Mr Olsen is extremely anxious to be sentenced. A full psychiatric report has been obtained.”

Adjourning sentence until May 12 and remanding Olsen in custody, Judge Philip Statman thanked members of Mr Langley’s family for attending court.

They included his father, wife Lucia, ex-wife and daughter.

The judge told Olsen: “I am sorry I can’t sentence you today but in the circumstances of this case I want to ensure everything has been read by me, together with mitigating features your counsel will be asking me to consider.”

Mr Langley, 56, built the four fishing lakes at Bax Farm, owned by Oliver Doubleday, and ran a cafe and tackle shop.

He was described as “a much loved father and husband and also a well known member of his local community”.

His wife said: “He was a gentle giant with a heart of gold, He loved his family, who always came first and he would do anything for anybody.”