A FORMER paratrooper has appeared in court charged with the murder of a pensioner who was stabbed to death while walking his dogs.

Alexander Palmer who served as a gunner in the Paras in Colchester between 2010 and 2015, was remanded in custody after being told he will face a trial next year charged with the murder of 83-year-old Peter Wrighton.

Grandfather Mr Wrighton died in woodland near East Harling, in Norfolk, on August 5.

A post mortem examination found the grandfather, from Banham, Norfolk, had been repeatedly stabbed in the neck and head.

Palmer, of Cringleford, Norfolk, was arrested on Saturday and charged on Monday.

The 23-year-old, who was dressed in a full Norwich City green and yellow tracksuit, appeared before Norwich Crown Court via video link from HMP Norwich yesterday.

He was remanded into custody for preliminary hearing ahead of a proposed two-week trial next February.

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said: “I’m told by my learned friend that Mr Palmer is not in a position to apply for bail today so I’m asking for a remand in custody through to a pre-trial preparation hearing.

“I think there will be some kind of trial in this case and the trial date I understand is mooted as February 12.”

The hearing was adjourned for a preliminary hearing on September 12.

Judge Stephen Holt told Palmer: “Mr Palmer, I hope you have understood what’s gone on this morning at this crown court.

“There will be a hearing in one month’s time on September 12 that is a plea and case management hearing.

“At the moment I am provisionally pencilling the trial date for the February 12 next year.”

Mr Wrighton’s body was found by another dog owner about 50 yards from where he had parked his red Skoda Fabia at Harling Woods, Norfolk.

Paramedics treated Mr Wrighton in the woods but the retired BT engineer was declared dead at the scene.

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.

A manhunt involving more than 100 officers was launched after a pathologist ruled Peter had died from “incised” wounds.

His distraught wife Ann, 76, described Dogs Trust volunteer Peter, originally from north London, 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”.