BBC News
Published
image captionJulia James was a serving PCSO with Kent Police
A trial date has been set for a man charged with the murder of police community support officer Julia James.
Ms James, 53, was found with fatal head injuries next to Akholt Wood, Snowdown, near Dover, on 27 April.
Callum Wheeler, 21, from Aylesham, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court via video link from Belmarsh prison.
Mr Wheeler spoke only to confirm his name and to say he could hear Judge Philip Statman during the 12-minute hearing. He was remanded in custody.
A trial date has been set for 29 November, with a plea and trial preparation hearing set for 8 June.
10:57 EDT, 12 May 2021
Advertisement
Police investigating the death of PCSO Julia James today searched drains and brought in sniffer dogs to the home of the man charged with her murder.
Forensic teams were at the Aylesham address given by Callum Wheeler, 21, for the fifth day running after his arrest.
He was charged with killing the 53-year-old police officer on Monday night after being arrested on Friday.
Since the start of the weekend police have been at his home searching through the property.
Today was the first time sniffer dogs, used to detect evidence invisible to the naked eye, were used in the procedure.
Callum Wheeler appears in court over Julia James murder
It comes as Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards said it has been a hugely challenging fortnight since the death of PCSO Julia James
10:25, 11 MAY 2021
Latest news email updates straight to your inboxInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice
Callum Wheeler , 21, from Aylesham, has appeared in person at Medway Magistrates Court charged with the murder of PCSO Julia James.
Loyal to the last, Julia James’s pet dog plays its part as PCSO’s final movements are re-enacted
Reconstruction of woodland walk takes place just hours after Callum Wheeler appeared in court charged with her murder
11 May 2021 • 4:45pm
An actress, wearing the same outfit as PCSO Julia James, leads Toby as the pair retraced her steps as she went on her final walk
Detectives investigating the death of PCSO Julia James have staged a reconstruction of her final walk featuring her loyal canine companion, Toby, the Jack Russell.
Exactly two weeks on from the discovery of her body in woodland in Kent, an actress, wearing the same outfit as the 53-year-old, retraced her steps as she went on her final dog walk.
By Press Association 2021
Julia James
A 21-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with the murder of PCSO Julia James.
The 53-year-old was found dead in Akholt Wood near her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27.
Callum Wheeler, from Aylesham, appeared in person at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Wearing a grey jumper and flanked by two security officers in the dock, Wheeler spoke hesitantly to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Wheeler was arrested on Friday and charged on Monday.
Patrick James, the son of PCSO Julia James, looks at floral tributes left near her family home (Gareth Fuller/PA)