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PCSO 'MURDER'

Julia James suspect, 21, due in court for ‘extremely violent’ murder of PCSO out walking with her dog in Kent

A MAN charged with the "extremely violent" murder of PCSO Julia James is expected to appear in court today.

Callum Wheeler, 21, from Aylesham, is accused of inflicting serious head injuries on the 53-year-old mum while she was out walking her dog in Kent.

Callum Wheeler picture leaving court last month
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Callum Wheeler picture leaving court last monthCredit: BBC supplied by Pixel8000
PCSO Julia James was attacked while walking her dog in Kent
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PCSO Julia James was attacked while walking her dog in Kent
The mum was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27
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The mum was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27

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.

The police community support officer was described as "fiercely loyal" by her family and her death led to an outpouring of grief in the local community.

Wheeler is due to appear at the Old Bailey in London via videolink on Tuesday.

He previously appeared at Maidstone Crown Court via videolink from Belmarsh prison for a brief hearing last month, but has yet to enter a plea.

At that hearing, prosecutor Martin Yale described the attack on Ms James as "extremely violent".

A trial date of November 29 has been set.

The investigation into the death of Ms James has seen officers visit about 2,000 homes and about 1,500 pieces of information submitted by the public.

Large numbers of police officers spent hours combing fields in the area and appealing for witnesses as the inquiry continued.

Detectives also created a reconstruction of Ms James' last known movements, featuring her Jack Russell dog Toby and an actress wearing identical clothing, in a bid to encourage witnesses to come forward.

Police released a picture of Julia James wearing the clothes she had on when she was murdered
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Police released a picture of Julia James wearing the clothes she had on when she was murderedCredit: PA
Large numbers of police officers spent hours combing fields in the area and appealing for witnesses as the inquiry continued
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Large numbers of police officers spent hours combing fields in the area and appealing for witnesses as the inquiry continuedCredit: PA
Forensic officers have been scouring for clues in connection with the probe
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Forensic officers have been scouring for clues in connection with the probeCredit: Louis Wood News Group Newspapers Ltd
Police on the road in Aylesham near where Julia's body was found
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Police on the road in Aylesham near where Julia's body was foundCredit: Louis Wood News Group Newspapers Ltd
Police search teams and officers from Kent Police Specialist Operational move their search to a large area of woodland on Ratling Road in Aylesham
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Police search teams and officers from Kent Police Specialist Operational move their search to a large area of woodland on Ratling Road in AyleshamCredit: UkNewsinPictures