Brutal Murder Shock in Snowdown Countryside
Julia James, 53, was savagely beaten to death while walking her Jack Russell dog, Toby, near her home in Snowdown. The chilling attack unfolded in Ackholt Wood close to Aylesham, leaving the community reeling.
Jury Delivers Verdict on Callum Wheeler
The trial wrapped up after six days, with a jury of eight women and four men finding 22-year-old Callum Wheeler guilty. Prosecutor Alison Morgan QC slammed Wheeler as “an angry, violent, strange, highly sexualised man” and dismissed any mental health defence.
Wheeler, who stalked the woods armed with a railway jack — the very weapon he used — waited for a lone woman to strike. On April 27 last year, he found Julia and unleashed a brutal attack that left her with catastrophic injuries.
Police React to Gruesome Crime
“Julia James, a kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police community support officer, was at home on April 27 last year when she decided to take her dog for a walk. It was a dog walk from which she would never return,” said Detective Superintendent Gavin Moss.
“This was a brutal and horrific murder in Ackholt Wood, an investigation quickly upgraded to Category A due to public concern. Significant police resources were deployed to track down and arrest the killer.”
Callum Wheeler will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on July 8.
