13:47 EDT, 19 May 2021
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The friends and family of murdered police community support officer Julia James today took a walk of peace in her memory through the village where she was attacked.
The remote community of Aylesham, Kent has been in mourning since the PCSO was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, last month.
Grandmother-of-one Ms James, 53, was attacked and killed whilst walking her dog Toby.
Her loyal Jack Russell stayed with her body until she was discovered by members of the public shortly after 4pm on April 27.
She was allegedly killed by Callum Wheeler, 21, of Aylesham, Kent, who has been charged with her murder and is due to stand trial later this year.
By Press Association 2021
Court artist sketch of Callum Wheeler
A trial date has been set for a man charged with the “extremely violent” murder of PCSO Julia James.
Callum Wheeler, 21, from Aylesham, is accused of inflicting serious head injuries on the 53-year-old while she was out walking her dog.
Ms James was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27, with her Jack Russell dog Toby by her side.
Julia James was found dead in Akholt Wood (Kent Police/PA)
Wheeler was arrested last Friday and charged with the murder on Monday, first appearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court the following day.
06:03 EDT, 13 May 2021
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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.
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Julia James was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27 (PA)
A trial date has been set for a man charged with the murder of PCSO Julia James.
Ms James was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27, with her Jack Russell, called Toby, by her side.
Callum Wheeler, 21, from Aylesham, is accused of inflicting serious head injuries on the 53-year-old.
He appeared via video link from Belmarsh prison for the 12-minute hearing at Maidstone Crown Court today wearing a grey T-shirt and grey trousers with a black face-mask.