A 23-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a grandfather who was allegedly attacked as he walked his dogs in woodland in Norfolk earlier this month.
The body of Peter Wrighton, 83, from The Moor, Banham, Norfolk, was found near the village of East Harling on August 5.
He had been repeatedly stabbed in the neck and head.
Alexander Palmer was charged in the early hours of Monday and appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court by video-link from the Norfolk Police Investigation Centre in Wymondham on Monday.
He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and to state his address as Freesia Way, Cringleford.
Norfolk Police had given his address as Dereham Road, Bawdeswell.
No pleas were taken and he was remanded in custody to appear at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday.
Wrighton was described in a tribute statement from his family and his wife of 59 years as “a lovely, gentle husband, dad and grandfather”.
The retired BT worker had a “kind nature” and had a “love of walking his dogs and chatting with people to pass the time of day”, his family said.
Wrighton had worked for British Telecom for 35 years and retired to the area 30 years ago where he enjoyed living a simple life with his family and dogs, his family said.
His wife, of 59 years, and his family added: “Peter was immensely kind and never had a bad word to say about anybody and people always seemed to take a liking to him.
“We are extremely thankful for all the people who have come forward to speak with the police and hope we will soon be able to understand why this has happened.
“When we think of Peter we remember him with with fond and happy memories that will stay with us always.”