Jurors retrace Julia James’ last steps
JURORS trying a man accused of murdering police community support officer Julia James retraced her final walk yesterday. They were taken to her home and along the path where she took her dog Toby, from a garden gate, through a wood and along the edge of a field. Mother-of-two Julia, 53, and the Jack Russell used a bridle path to get to a place she called Butterfly Corner. She was returning home when she came across Callum Wheeler who chased her and beat her to death with a 7lb railway jack, used to lift tracks. Data from Julia’s Apple watch let police plot the exact route, a court heard. The device also revealed her heart rate “surged” as she tried to escape.
She died at Ackholt Wood near Snowdown, Kent, in April last year. Wheeler, 22, of Aylesham, Kent, accepts he is responsible for her death. He denies murder.
Canterbury Crown Court jurors were joined at the scene by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, defence and prosecution lawyers plus court officials.
The group visited Aylesham and
District Social Club in Ratling and saw a camera on the building that recorded Wheeler walking by just before the killing.
Alison Morgan QC, prosecuting, said footage “shows the defendant carrying a bag containing a metal railway jack”.
The group also went to a coach firm’s building where CCTV captured Julia on her walk.
Jurors were also shown sites near Spinney Lane where Wheeler was seen on a bus dashcam on April 27 and by gamekeeper Gavin Tucker who took footage of him the day after the killing.
The trial continues.