Julia’s final steps
PCSO murder reconstruction as suspect, 21, held in custody
We have an obligation to piece together Julia’s last moments
KENT POLICE CHIEF TOM RICHARDS YESTERDAY
AN actress retraced the final steps of murdered Julia James with the PCSO’s pet dog yesterday in a painstaking police reconstruction.
She walked the mother-of-two’s loyal Jack Russell Toby, who stayed by Julia’s side after she was bludgeoned to death on a remote track.
It came as Callum Wheeler, 21, appeared in court yesterday charged with Julia’s murder.
Julia, 53, was on a walk near her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27 when she was attacked and sustained fatal head injuries.
The actress wore the same type of turquoise jacket, jeans and black boots as Julia and took the family pet on the same route in the hope it would help jog the memories of potential witnesses.
Kent Police believe the community support officer left her house through the back gate of her garden on to a footpath through bushes and woodland at around 2pm, before walking the perimeter of a field.
The reconstruction concluded by Ackholt Wood, where police believe Julia was attacked.
Her body was discovered by the woods at around 4pm.
Wheeler, from the neighbouring village of Aylesham, appeared at Medway magistrates court charged with her murder.
Wearing a grey jumper and flanked by two security officers in the dock, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Maidstone crown court tomorrow. The suspect was seen sticking out his tongue as he was led from court to a van. He was charged on Monday. Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards said he hoped the reconstruction would help officers “piece together the last vital pieces” of information about Julia’s murder. He said: “We have an obligation to piece together what happened in the last moments of Julia’s life.” So far the force has received around 1,000 pieces of information from members of the public. Mr Richards confirmed
that officers are not “actively” looking to make further arrests in connection with Julia’s death.
He added: “We still have accounts of people in the woods and fields of that area who we don’t think we’ve identified.
“I still think there were people enjoying the beautiful countryside in that area and I appeal for people to come forward.”
Grandmother Julia worked in a Kent Police unit supporting victims of domestic violence.
Police officers from four forces including Thames Valley, the Metropolitan Police and Sussex have joined in the search for clues in Aylesham this week.
A group of around 50 officers were seen combing a field near the suspect’s home on Monday.