The grieving daughter of PCSO Julia James said she is ‘so proud’ of her mother’s work helping victims of domestic abuse.
Bethan Coles said she felt ‘so lucky to be her daughter’ in an emotional tribute to Mrs James – who was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27.
The 53-year-old mother of two was allegedly killed by Callum Wheeler, 21, while walking her beloved Jack Russell dog Toby.
It comes amid calls for a proposed law to support victims being known as ‘Julia’s Bill’, after the PCSO.
Writing on Facebook, Ms Coles – a serving officer herself – said: ‘I have received messages from a number of women who Mum had met during the course of her work; in which she supported victims of domestic abuse.
Bethan Coles (right) said she felt ‘so lucky to be’ PCSO Julia James’ (left) daughter in a tribute to Mrs James – who was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27
Mrs James, a 53-year-old mother of two, was allegedly killed by Callum Wheeler, 21, while walking her beloved Jack Russell dog Toby
Wheeler (a court sketch, pictured) appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, on Thursday via video link with London ‘s Belmarsh Prison, having been charged with murder on Monday
‘It makes me SO proud when I hear about how she has helped and supported these women through their terrible experiences.
‘I’m so lucky to be her daughter’.
Mrs James joined Kent Police in 2008 as a crime reduction PCSO and was praised for her work in the community.
Most recently, the 53-year-old worked supporting victims of domestic abuse in the force’s Vulnerability Investigation Team, based at Canterbury police station.
Wheeler, aged 21, from Aylesham, in Kent, was arrested on Friday, May 7, and brought to court last week. At one point he appeared to stick his tongue out (right) as he was led to the prison van after his appearance
Last week, Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke voiced her support for the proposed ‘Julia’s Bill’.
Speaking during the debate on the Queen’s Speech, Conservative Ms Elphicke said: ‘Julia James was a serving police community support officer with Kent Police, she served with great commitment since 2008, a popular pillar of our community much loved by her family and friends.
‘In her working life, she supported women and girls who were victims of violence.
‘For me and so many of my community the victims bill should be known simply as Julia’s Bill in recognition of the support she gave to so many people when they were vulnerable and in need.’
Police officers lined up last week as they prepared to walk into the woodlands during their search for evidence following Mrs James’ death
Police officers searched a field off Ratling Road in Aylesham, Kent, last week as part of the investigation into the death
A police dog wearing a harness and a lead runs through the woodland in Kent as searches continued on Tuesday afternoon
Last week, a court heard Mrs James was killed in an ‘extremely violent and apparently random’ attack.
The details emerged as the man accused of bludgeoning her to death was told he faces a four-week trial.
Wheeler appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, on Thursday via video link with London’s Belmarsh Prison, having been charged with murder on Monday.
Wearing a grey T-shirt and trousers with black mask, he simply replied ‘Yeah’ when asked to confirm his name during the hearing in front of Judge Philip Statman, and sat flanked by prison officers and with his arms folded under his top.
The court was told the earliest start date for a trial would be November 29, with a time estimate of up to four weeks.
No members of Mrs James’ family attended the hearing.
Prosecutor Martin Yale told the court she died as a result of an ‘extremely violent and apparently random’ attack.
Hundreds of floral tributes have been in left in memory of Julia James in Aylesham in Kent
Community Support Officers walk past floral tributes in a park in Aylesham village close to the scene in Snowdown where Mrs James’ body was found
He added there were a number of ‘outstanding forensic enquiries’, including ones on an iron bar.
Mrs James’ body was found next to Akholt Wood in the Aylesham Road area at about 4pm by members of the public, with her dog unharmed beside her.
A post-mortem examination revealed the grandmother had suffered significant head injuries.
Wheeler, of Sunshine Corner Avenue, Aylesham, was arrested on Friday, May 7, and charged three days later.
He appeared before Medway magistrates on Tuesday where he was remanded in custody until the crown court hearing.
That same day, officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate staged a reconstruction of the PCSO’s last steps, with her pet being walked by an actress.
Mrs James, who was married to Paul, 57, had been working from home on the day she was killed and is believed to have set off from the property just after 2pm.
Lesley Manley, defending Wheeler, confirmed there would be a need for a psychiatric assessment.
There was no application for bail but Mr Yale said it would be opposed.
Wheeler was remanded in custody by Judge Statman until a plea and trial preparation hearing on June 8.