Trial date set for man accused of murder of PCSO Julia James
A trial date has been set for a 21-year-old man charged with the murder of police community support officer (PCSO) Julia James.
Callum Wheeler, 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.
Wheeler was arrested last Friday and charged with the murder on Monday, first appearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court the following day.
He appeared via video link from Belmarsh prison for a short hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday (May 13) wearing a grey T-shirt and grey trousers with a black face-mask.
Judge Philip Statman set a trial date for November 29 with a plea and trial preparation hearing (PTPH) on June 8.
No plea was entered to the murder charge and no application for bail was made by Wheeler’s counsel Lesley Manley.
Judge Statman remanded the defendant in custody and said: “There being no application for bail, in the circumstances having looked at all the matters, it is right and proper the defendant should remain in custody.”
He told Wheeler: “Your next court appearance is going to be the 8th June, until that time you will remain in custody.”
Kent Police is still appealing for witnesses in the case and earlier this week created a reconstruction of Ms James’ last known movements featuring Toby the dog and an actress wearing identical clothing to the PCSO.
