A woman has been charged with murder after a man was fatally stabbed outside a pub.

Stephane Langley appeared in court this morning after Matthew Bryant, who ran the Hare and Hounds in Lower Boxley Road in Maidstone, died from his injuries.

On Monday, 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.

A woman, who was known to Mr Bryant, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.

During the early hours of today, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of murder against Langley.

She was also charged with one count of possessing a knife in a public place.

The 54-year-old, of Wilsons Lane, East Farleigh near Maidstone, appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court today.

Wearing a grey tracksuit, she spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth.

She entered no pleas and was remanded in custody. The case was adjourned and sent to Maidstone Crown Court where Langley is due to appear on Friday.

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.

One of Matt’s friends at the scene, who didn’t want to be named, described the shock which was left in their group.

He said: “It just hits you. You never expect something like this to happen to your friendship group. He was a great bloke.”

Mr Bryant made headlines in August last year after he rushed to give first aid to father-of-five Andrew Loosely who had been attacked outside the pub.

Mr Loosely, who was the Hare and Hounds' pool team captain, was felled by a single punch and hit his head when he fell.

Sadly, Mr Loosely died in King's College Hospital five days later.

In February, John Gibbs, 19, of Shadoxhurst, near Ashford, was jailed for three years and eight months after admitting manslaughter.