Police investigating the murder of PCSO Julia James have released an image of a man they want to speak to.

Kent Police said the man “could be key” to the investigation and he is understood to have been in the Aylesham area the day after Ms James was murdered.

The popular community support officer was found dead in Akholt Wood near her home in Snowdown, Kent, on 27 April.

The 53-year-old died from serious head injuries while out walking her dog Toby, who was found unharmed by her side.

Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards said: “We are now in a position to release an image of a man we would like to speak to.

“We firmly believe he has information that could help this investigation and we urge him to come forward.

“We are also appealing to the public or anyone who knows this individual to please come forward with his details. Perhaps he lives near you, perhaps you work with him or perhaps he visits your local shop to buy food.

“Please get in touch and help us find the answers Julia’s family deserve.”

Earlier, the chief constable of Kent Police urged Ms James’s killer to hand themselves in, warning the culprit: “You have to keep looking over your shoulder”.

Appearing on BBC Radio Kent on Friday, Alan Pughsley issued a direct message to the killer, saying: “We will not rest, in anyway, shape or form, whether that be Kent Police or other colleagues, to find you.

“We will – I’m absolutely certain – find you, whenever that is. I hope that is in the very near future.”

Mr Pughsley said officers were “not 100% sure” what weapon was used to kill Ms James and forces across the UK had offered assistance to help catch the culprit.

“You will never, ever, ever completely get away with this,” he told the killer.

“You have to keep looking over your shoulder and at some stage we’ll be there to get you

“And we will get you. The best thing you can do is hand yourself in.”

On Wednesday, police issued an image of Ms James in the clothes she was wearing before she was killed.

The picture shows the PCSO walking her Jack Russell while wearing a light blue waterproof coat, blue jeans and dark Wellington-style brown boots.

Police said it was the same clothing, apart from the gloves, which she wore on the day she died.

Kent Police has said it is broadening the search area to include “a number of other locations” in addition to the woodland where she was found.

Crimestoppers are offering a reward of up to £10,000 for anonymous information that leads to her killer being convicted.

Anyone with information regarding Ms James’s murder can contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111 or via its website.

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