A 21-year-old man accused of murdering PCSO Julia James is due to appear in court today.

Callum Wheeler is charged with killing the mum-of-two by inflicting serious head injuries while she walked her dog in Snowdown, between Canterbury and Dover.

Wheeler, of Sunshine Corner Avenue in nearby Aylesham, was charged with murder almost a fortnight after Julia, 53, was found dead on April 27.

She was discovered close to Akholt Wood, about 400 metres from her home

Wheeler is due to appear at the Old Bailey in London today via videolink.

He previously appeared at Maidstone Crown Court via video from Belmarsh for a short hearing last month.

He is expected to enter a plea at today's hearing.

Last month, Wheeler, who is expected to go on trial for four weeks beginning November 29, spoke only to confirm his name and details.

Prosecutor Martin Yale said: "He is charged with the murder of Julia James and there is no application for bail."

Mr Yale said officers were still working on forensic evidence, including an iron bar and officers were also trying to establish a possible motive for the extremely violent and apparently random attack.

Julia, who was found with her Jack Russell, Toby, by her side, 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.

She had been working from home on the day of her murder.

Officers spent weeks scouring land in Snowdown and days in Sunshine Corner Avenue, where Wheeler's home was cordoned off.

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