A man has denied murdering a mother-of-six who was found badly injured during her early morning dog walk in a quiet Suffolk village.
Anita Rose, 57, had set out with her springer spaniel, Bruce, near her home in Brantham, close to Ipswich. She left the house around 5am on July 24 last year, following a familiar route along local paths.
Just over an hour later, a cyclist heading to work discovered her unconscious on a secluded track near a railway line. She had suffered severe head and facial injuries. Despite emergency treatment, Ms Rose died four days later at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Roy Barclay, 55, who has no fixed address, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court via video link from prison. He entered a not guilty plea to a charge of murder. During the brief hearing, he spoke only to confirm his identity.
Police arrested Barclay after months of investigation, which included forensic work, CCTV reviews, and a public appeal featured on BBC Crimewatch Live. Officers said more than 600 people were interviewed during the inquiry.
Ms Rose’s mobile phone was later recovered, although a jacket she wore that morning remains missing. A post-mortem examination could not determine an exact cause of death, and further tests are ongoing.
Her family described her as a devoted mother and grandmother who loved her community and felt safe in the area. The case has been adjourned, with a full trial scheduled to begin in May.
