Man accused of killing PCSO Julia James to stand trial in November
The 21-year-old man accused of murdering PCSO Julia James, 53, is set to face trial in November.
Callum Wheeler was charged with the murder of the mother-of-two on Monday, and has been remanded in custody.
He will appear at Maidstone Crown Court on 8 June before going on trial on 29 November.
Mrs James went out to walk her dog on 27 April and never returned. Her body was found in Akholt Wood in Kent, with her Jack Russell, Toby, still by her side.
The suspect was seen on Tuesday sticking his tongue out at cameras as he was led out of court by police officers.
In a statement released on Friday, the family of Julia James wrote: “There are no words to adequately describe the void left in our lives by the death of our mum.
“She was so much to so many people; a wife, mother, daughter, nanny, sister and a friend.
“Mum was fiercely loyal, she loved with her whole heart and nothing was too much trouble for the people she cared about.
“Her loss will be felt by us every moment of every day. She will be so sorely missed.
“As a family we are trying to understand how we will navigate our lives without her, it seems an impossible task.”
Over the weekend, forensic officers searched Mr Wheeler’s home on Sunshine Corner Avenue in Aylesham near Canterbury to retrieve potential evidence.
Police believe the attack on Julia was “random” and Assistant Chief Constable Richards said that the force cannot rule out whether the killer was someone she came across in her work as a PCSO, a potential dog-napper or if there could have been a sexual motive behind the attack.
Our thoughts go out to Julia’s family at this time.
Contact Gi National
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk