R v Callum Wheeler sentencing remarks
| Jurisdiction | England & Wales |
| Judgment Date | 08 July 2022 |
| Subject Matter | Sentencing Remarks |
| Court | Crown Court |
MR JUSTICE WALL
IN THE CROWN COURT AT CANTERBURY
R -V- CALLUM WHEELER
SENTENCING REMARKS
1. Callum Wheeler, it falls to me to sentence you for the murder of Julia James on 27 April last
year. You pleaded not guilty but were convicted by the jury after trial. Your sentence must
be one of life imprisonment. I must now set the minimum term you will serve before the
Parole Board can consider you for release. You and everyone else in court should
understand three things about that minimum term. First, you must serve every day of it
before the Parole Board can even consider releasing you. Second, even then the Parole
Board will only release you if they are satisfied that it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Otherwise you will remain in custody for the rest of your life. Third, even if you are released
from custody, you will remain subject to the life sentence for the whole of your life which
means that, if necessary, you can be returned to custody at any time.
2. The victim of your crime was Julia James. She was only 53 years old – a much loved mother
to Bethan and Patrick and wife to Paul. She lived in Snowdown and worked as a special
constable in which role she had apparently earned a considerable amount of respect from
the members of the local community. I have heard from Mrs James’ husband and her
children who have read out to me their Impact Statements. Your actions, Callum Wheeler,
have not just served to end one life prematurely but have also have devastated the lives of
the whole of her family. It was apparent from the impact statements how loved Julia was
and how keenly her loss is felt by her whole family. You have removed that family’s main
support and their sense of security and well being possibly for ever.
3. On 27 April last year, Julia James went for a walk with her dog in Ackholt Woods near to her
home. It was an area where many dog owners went to exercise their pets. Mrs James was a
regular visitor as for her that woodland had a special significance.
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