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Photos: Callum Wheeler custody photo, Wheeler carrying the murder weapon (taken the day after Ms James' murder by a member of the public who was suspicious of Wheeler's behaviour), the murder weapon, found in Wheeler's bedroom

Conviction for the murder of Kent Police PCSO Julia James

Callum Wheeler, 22, has been found guilty of murdering Kent Police PCSO Julia James as she walked her dog in the woods near her home.

SEOCID: The Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate

CPS responds to changing nature of serious economic and organised crime with a new team

The new Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID) brings together specialists in economic crime, organised crime, proceeds of crime and international to deliver justice, combat crime across borders and take money from criminals.

Support worker holding a clipboard, a victim behind a screen and a barrister holding their wig while talking to a victim

Guide for victims of rape and serious sexual assault

What happens when a case comes to the CPS? We’ve designed this guide for victims to explain the process of a criminal trial and what you can expect at each stage.

Your local CPS

The CPS operates across England and Wales, with 14 regional teams prosecuting cases locally.

Each of these 14 CPS Areas is headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor, and works closely with local police forces and other criminal justice partners.

Find out who’s who in your area, and read more about local cases.

Find out about your area

Cymru/Wales
East Midlands
East of England
London North
London South
Mersey-Cheshire
North East
North West
South East
South West
Thames and Chiltern
Wessex
West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside

The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales. The CPS is independent, and we make our decisions independently of the police and government.

Our duty is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible.

The CPS:

  • decides which cases should be prosecuted; 
  • determines the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases, and advises the police during the early stages of investigations; 
  • prepares cases and presents them at court; and 
  • provides information, assistance and support to victims and prosecution witnesses. 

Prosecutors must be fair, objective and independent. When deciding whether to prosecute a criminal case, our lawyers must follow the Code for Crown Prosecutors. This means that to charge someone with a criminal offence, prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and that prosecuting is in the public interest.

Crime info

We prosecute people for hundreds of different types of crime every year. This section gives an introduction to some of the categories of offending that we are asked about most often.

Victims & witnesses

Being a victim or a witness to a crime is not easy, but with your help, we work hard to bring offenders to justice. Throughout the justice process we will support you and treat you with dignity.

From reporting the crime to passing sentence we explain what happens, the role of the CPS and what you can expect from us.

Support for victims & witnesses

Prosecution guidance

This guidance assists our prosecutors when they are making decisions about cases. It is regularly updated to reflect changes in law and practice. 

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View all prosecution guidance
Latest News
View all news

Spurs fan pleads guilty to homophobic slurs against Chelsea fans

Hate crime

Member of proscribed group jailed for three years

Terrorism

Rape victims should not delay seeking therapy, says updated CPS guidance

CPS authorises sexual assault charges against Kevin Spacey

Sexual offences

Three fraudsters sentenced for scamming the taxpayer out of over £1 million

Fraud and economic crime

Jail and Football Banning Order for play-off player assault

Violent crime

Targeted consultation to help finalise new immigration prosecution guidance

International and organised crime

Co-founder of right-wing terror group convicted

Terrorism

UPDATED WITH SENTENCE: Martial arts couple convicted of child sexual offences

Sexual offences