A 21-year-old man has appeared in court this morning charged with the murder of PCSO Julia James.

Callum Wheeler, of Sunshine Corner Avenue, Aylesham, stands accused of killing the 53-year-old mum-of-two, who was found dead on a remote track in Snowdown, between Canterbury and Dover, on Tuesday, April 28.

Callum Wheeler leaves court

He appeared before Medway magistrates and spoke only to confirm his name and address.

He was remanded in prison to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday.

Wheeler was arrested at 9.30pm on Friday night and questioned over the weekend.

He was charged yesterday with the murder of Julia, who worked with the domestic violence unit at Canterbury police station.

A post-mortem investigation revealed she suffered "significant head injuries", sparking a widespread hunt for her killer.

Wheeler's appearance in court comes almost two weeks into a painstaking investigation which has seen Snowdown become a hive of police activity.

Officers have been scouring the area in and around where Julia's body was found by members of the public on the edge of Ackholt Wood.

She had been working from home that day before taking her Jack Russell, Toby, for a walk.

The dog was by her side, unharmed, when she was discovered dead at about 4pm.

Police taped off the scene and have since set up a number of other cordons around the quiet hamlet, which only has about 50 homes.

There is still a large police presence in the area, with a number of tents erected to preserve evidence.

Officers also remain in Sunshine Corner Avenue, where Wheeler's home has been cordoned off since Friday night.

Forensics teams were seen yesterday morning removing bags from the house.

Julia lived about a mile away, in The Crescent, Snowdown. She was a much-loved mum, wife and grandmother.

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards, from Kent Police, said: “We continue to urge anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to contact us.

“If you were in the Snowdown area between 1pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday, April 27, please contact us."

Anyone with information about Julia's death is urged to call police on 0800 0514526.

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