The uncle of Julia James has called her attacker a "cowardly excuse for a human being".

The 53-year-old died from serious head injuries while out walking her dog and her death has sparked an out pouring of tributes from her family, colleagues and the community.

Her body was found in woods close to her home in the village of Snowdown, which is between Canterbury and Dover.

Now, her uncle Michael Turnbull has also paid tribute and pleaded with the public to help find her attacker.

He said: "I have loved Julia since the day she was born. Julia is a daughter to my lovely sister, a mother to two children Bethan and Patrick and grandmother to Jaxxon.

"Julia is funny, kind, caring, always saw the good in people and most of all full of love.

"Julia has been taken from us by some worthless cowardly excuse for a human being for no other reason than his own sense of self gratification to justify what he did, leaving behind a family full of broken hearts and sadness.

"Let us find this monster before he can cause more grief to another family."

Mrs James was a mother of two and a PCSO for Kent Police. She joined in 2008 and most recently was working in the domestic violence team.

She was found on Tuesday and was last seen by her neighbour when she left her home to walk her Jack Russel, Toby.

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards revealed at a press conference last week that police are leaving open the possibility Mrs James was attacked by a complete stranger although stressed they were extremely rare, or that the suspect may have met Mrs James – who previously worked in Ashford and Tenterden – through her job.

None of her possessions had been taken and her Jack Russell was by her side, unharmed.

No motive for the attack has been established and no suspects have been identified.

Yesterday officers were seen searching fields around Snowdown. The National Crime Agency were also drafted in to help with the investigation.

A witness told KentOnline : "As I drove up the road I saw loads of officers, all in black. It was in Butter Street, between Snowdown and Nonington.

"There was a lot of officers. Thirty of them all in black suits with National Crime Agency on their backs.

"They said 'we're certified search specialists' and they'd been called in. They said there's nothing to worry about and they were looking for a weapon.

"They added the whole field should be sealed off. They spent about three hours on Butter Street."

Meanwhile, officers have set up in tent in neighbouring Aylesham where people can share information.

It is close to where floral tributes have been left in her memory.

One of the bouquets is from Kent Police with the message: "For our dear colleague Julia, a service so highly regarded. A precious life so tragically taken. We will leave no stone unturned. Your colleagues."

The village's Union Flag has also been lowered to half mast in memory of the grandmother.

Anyone with information should call police on 0800 0514 526.

Video footage can be submitted online at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4601020121F07-PO1.

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