A former RAF paratrooper today pleaded not guilty to murdering a pensioner stabbed to death while walking his dogs.
Alexander Palmer, 23, appeared via video link at Norwich Crown Court today, charged with the murder of 83-year-old Peter Wrighton.
The pensioner was found dead near the village of East Harling, Norfolk, on August 5, and was so badly injured police initially feared he had been attacked by an animal.
A Home Office post-mortem examination found the grandfather, from Banham, Norfolk, had been repeatedly stabbed in the neck and head.
Alexander Palmer, 23, appeared via video link at Norwich Crown Court today, charged with the murder of 83-year-old Peter Wrighton and pleaded not guilty
Mr Wrighton’s dogs, Dylan and Gemma, were found near his body which was so badly injured, it was initially thought he had been attacked by an animal
Palmer, who was dressed in a blue, short sleeved T shirt, spoke only to state his plea and thank Judge Stephen Holt during the short six-minute hearing.
He was remanded in custody at HMP Belmarsh in south-east London and faces a trial on February 12 next year at Norwich Crown Court where he will appear in person.
Mr Wrighton’s body was found by another dog owner, 50 yards from where he had parked his red Skoda Fabia at Harling Woods, Norfolk in August
Adjourning the case, Judge Stephen Holt said: ‘Mr Palmer, I have to give you one formal warning that all which all defendants who are in custody get, which is for you to give as much information as you possibly can to your legal team.’
Mr Wrighton’s body was found by another dog owner, 50 yards from where he had parked his red Skoda Fabia at Harling Woods, Norfolk.
His dogs, Dylan and Gemma, were found near his body which was so badly injured, it was initially thought he had been attacked by an animal.
Paramedics raced to the wood, but the retired BT engineer was declared dead at the scene.
His nine-year-old Scarteen Harrier and 13-year-old Trailhound cross, were found unharmed near the pensioner’s body.
A manhunt, involving more than 100 officers was launched lafter a pathologist ruled Mr Wrighton had died from ‘incised’ wounds.
His distraught wife Ann, 76, described Peter, originally from North London, who volunteered for the Dogs Trust, as a ‘lovely, gentle husband, dad and grandfather’.
His family also paid tribute to the 83-year-old’s ‘kind nature’ and his ‘love of walking his dogs and chatting with people to pass the time of day’.
It’s understood the couple, who had been married for 59 years, moved to the area 30 years ago after Peter retired from his 35-year career with British Telecom.
Palmer, from Cringleford, Norfolk, who served as a gunner in the Army in 2015, was remanded in custody until his trial next year.
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