Landlord stabbed to death in his pub in Kent

Matthew Bryant, who ran the Hare and Hounds in Maidstone for the past eight years, was pronounced dead just before 6pm on Monday.

The woman, who was known to the victim, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in custody, police said in a statement.

A large police cordon was set up outside the pub on Tuesday morning as tributes poured in for the popular publican, who had been a publican for 25 years.

Local resident Chris Leach told the Mirror Mr Bryant “didn’t have a bad bone in his body”.

He added: “You couldn’t help but love him.”

Mark Osborne said: “All my thoughts go out to his family and friends. Heaven has a true angel.” Another local, Daniel Hoggart, described Mr Bryant as an “absolute gentleman”.

A Kent Police spokeswoman said: “Officers have arrested a woman on suspicion of murder in Maidstone.

“Police were called to Lower Boxley Road at 6pm on Monday and patrols attended along with the South East Coast Ambulance Service. A man was treated for injuries consistent with stab wounds and was confirmed dead at the scene shortly afterwards.

“His next of kin have been informed. An investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate was launched and a woman in her 50s was arrested and taken into custody.”

She added: “It is understood the suspect and victim knew each other. A cordon remains in place at the scene while investigations into the circumstances of the incident are completed.”