Julia James: Man charged with murder of PCSO to stand trial in May

The man accused of murdering police community support officer Julia James when she was out walking her dog faces trial in May, a court has heard.

Ms James, 53, was found dead with head injuries in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, in April with her Jack Russell dog Toby by her side.

Callum Wheeler, 21, who has previously denied murdering Ms James, spoke only to confirm his name when he appeared at London's Southwark Crown Court on Monday via video-link.

His trial had originally been set to begin on Monday but was delayed. High Court judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Wheeler now faces a four-week trial on May 9 next year at Canterbury Crown Court.

The discovery of Ms James's body on April 27 sparked a huge investigation, with dozens of police officers from all over the country drafted in to comb fields and woodland.

Her dog was later used as part of a police reconstruction as detectives appealed for witnesses.

Ms James's family previously praised her as "fiercely loyal" and someone who "loved with her whole heart".

Callum Wheeler was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on January 17.