Julia James: 21-year-old Callum Wheeler charged with Kent PCSO and mum-of-two’s murder

A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Kent PCSO Julia James

Callum Wheeler, 21, from Aylesham, has been charged with the 53-year-old’s murder, Kent Police confirmed.

The 53-year-old serving Police Community Support Officer for Kent Police was found dead next to Akholt Wood in Snowdown at around 4pm on April 27.

Mr Wheeler was arrested on Friday and is due to appear via videolink at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Ms James, described as “fiercely loyal” by her family, died from serious head injuries while out walking her dog.

Large numbers of police, from several forces, were in Aylesham on Monday as the probe into her death continued.

Julia had been working from home before taking her dog, Toby, for a walk in the Aylesham Road area on the day she was found dead.

A post-mortem revealed she died from significant head injuries.

“There are no words to adequately describe the void left in our lives,” her family said in a statement after her body was found.

“She was so naturally funny with a brilliant sense of humour,” they added.

Her family went on to say they were “trying to understand how we will navigate our lives without her,” adding: “It seems an impossible task.”

She was a “fiercely loyal” wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister and friend, who “loved with her whole heart,” her family said.

“Nothing was too much trouble for the people she cared about,” the statement added.

There was a nationwide appeal for anyone with information related to the incident to come forward in the days following her death.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Kent Police on 0800 0514 526. Witnesses and anyone with any other information, CCTV or dashcam footage are also asked to submit details online via this link.

You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, or by using the online form.