Roy Barclay denies murder of Brantham mother-of-six and dog walker Anita Rose

A 55-year-old man has denied murdering a mother-of-six who was walking her dog in a Suffolk village.

Roy Barclay, of no fixed address, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court via video link this morning, charged with the murder of Anita Rose in Brantham last July.

Barclay was arrested in Ipswich on October 21.

Ms Rose, 57, was found injured and unconscious on a track off Rectory Lane by a cyclist at about 6.25am on July 24, having left her house at 5am to walk her dog, Bruce.

The cyclist found her with her dog’s lead wrapped around her leg. Her pink jacket had been stolen.

Ms Rose had suffered injuries to her head and face and was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, where she died four days later, on July 28.

A further case management hearing has been set for February 28. A trial date had previously been set for May 27.

Chris Paxton represented the prosection. Mr Barclay was represented by Stephen Spence KC and Edward Renvoize.