PCSO Julia James, 53, was killed in an ‘extremely violent and apparently random’ attack and forensic officers are examining ‘iron bar’, court is told – as suspect, 21, faces four-week trial
- PCSO Julia James, 53, was found dead near to Akholt Woods, Kent, on April 27
- Callum Wheeler, aged 21, from Aylesham, in Kent, was arrested on Friday, May 7
- Wheeler has now appeared at Maidstone Crown Court charged with the murder
Murdered PCSO Julia James was killed in an ‘extremely violent and apparently random’ attack a court heard today.
The details emerged as the man accused of bludgeoning her to death was told he faces a four-week trial.
Callum Wheeler, 21, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, via video link with London’s Belmarsh Prison, having been charged 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.
Callum Wheeler, aged 21, from Aylesham, in Kent, was arrested on Friday, May 7
Detectives investigating the death of PCSO Julia James charged Callum Wheeler, 21
He added there were a number of ‘outstanding forensic enquiries’, including ones on an iron bar.
Mrs James, a 53-year-old mother of two, was allegedly murdered by Wheeler while walking her beloved Jack Russell dog Toby near to her home in Snowdown, in the parish of Aylesham, Kent, on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 27.
Her 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.
Police officers line up as they prepare to walk into the woodlands during their searches for evidence following Mrs James’ death
Police officers search a field off Ratling Road in Aylesham, Kent, earlier today as part of the investigation into the death
Wheeler, of Sunshine Corner Avenue, Aylesham, was arrested on Friday, May 7, and charged three days later. He appeared before Medway magistrates on Tuesday (May 11) 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.
Described as ‘fiercely loyal’ by her family, she worked with the Vulnerability Investigation Team based at Canterbury police station, helping domestic abuse victims.
The murder investigation has involved extensive searches of the area, including Wheeler’s home since his arrest. Sniffer dogs were brought in yesterday to assist forensic teams.