A 51-year-old man from Thaxted has been convicted of murder after attacking a man in his own garden.
Kevin Horswill, of Magdalen Green in the village, had been at The Star public house in Mill End on the evening of March 17, 2024, when Richard Langley arrived.
During the course of the evening the two were involved in an altercation, before 52-year-old Richard left.
Richard can be seen on CCTV walking the dog in the village later that evening, then Horswill appears around 20 minutes later on the same cameras walking the same route.
Horswill then fatally assaulted Richard in the garden of his home in Orchard Close.
On the CCTV, their two figures can be seen at Orchard Close before Horswill then leaves the scene minutes later with serious head injuries.
Witnesses reported hearing this assault and members of the public came to assist with CPR while paramedics rushed to try and help Richard.
Horswill was arrested at his address in the early hours of March 18, and was taken into custody following hospital treatment.
He was later charged with murder and was remanded in custody.
Horswill tried to deny he instigated the assault at his trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, but the jury refused to believe he acted in self-defence.
He was convicted of murder by majority verdict on Tuesday, January 28.
He will be remanded in custody until his sentencing at the same court on Wednesday, January 29.
Detective Superintendent Ant Alcock said: "My thoughts and condolences remain with Richard’s loved ones as they have done throughout this investigation.
"This has been a complex and detailed investigation – it is important the jury have reached their verdict today and I’d like to thank them for their role in this trial.
"Horswill carried out a violent and premeditated attack, spurred on by an argument at a pub just hours before.
"His argument of self-defence was completely undermined by the case built by our skilled investigators, which left the jury in no doubt he was guilty.
"We now await his sentencing."
The case built by Essex police officers was underpinned by a detailed timeline of CCTV from throughout the evening of the attack.
Det Supt Alcock added: “This case was only made so strong by the work of dozens of officers carrying out enquires, taking witness statement and gathering the forensic evidence to make a complete picture of the events of that evening.
"I’d like to thank all of them for their commitment throughout this investigation.
"I’d also ask the privacy of Richard’s family is respected at this time."
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