Police believe dog walker was assaulted in woodland

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 8 Oct, 17:14 · Archive

Graham Pennycook, 64, was found dead in woodland near Perham Down in Ludgershall on 24 September after his dog returned home without him.

Graham Pennycook, 64, left home at about 10:00 on 24 September to walk his dog along a familiar route near the polo field at Perham Down in Ludgershall, Wiltshire. His wife reported him missing at 15:41 after his dog returned home without him. Police found his body in the woodland later that afternoon at about 17:41.

A post-mortem examination revealed injuries consistent with an assault. Based on these findings, Wiltshire Police's Major Crime Investigation Team now strongly believe Mr Pennycook was assaulted within the woodland near the polo ground before his death. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker said the pathology findings were crucial to understanding the seriousness of what had occurred and prompted the murder investigation.

No arrests have been made. Police are appealing for information from anyone who was in the area on 24 September, particularly between 10:00 and 11:00. Officers are especially keen to hear from motorists who travelled along Somme Road, the unnamed road bordering the polo field, Shoddesden Lane or the A3026 between 9:00 and 18:00 and may have dashcam footage.

A crime scene cordon was not initially put in place after the body was discovered. Detective Chief Inspector Walker explained that because the circumstances were not immediately understood as a serious assault, the popular dog-walking area remained open to the public for a week. The cordon was re-established on 1 October after the post-mortem examination. A police presence remains at the scene and is expected to continue into the weekend.

How it is being reported

• Police believe dog walker was assaulted before death in woodlandWiltshire Police renew appeal over Ludgershall man Graham Pennycook’s murder after alleged woodland assault at Perham Down. Dashcam witnesses urgently sought.Gazette & Herald · 8 Oct, 16:45
• Police believe dog walker was assaulted before death in woodlandWiltshire Police renew appeal over Ludgershall man Graham Pennycook’s murder after alleged woodland assault at Perham Down. Dashcam witnesses urgently sought.Wiltshire Times · 8 Oct, 16:45
• Police reveal woodland where murdered dog walker was found remained open for a weekA senior detective has explained why the area where Graham Pennycook's body was discovered was not initially treated as a crime scene.Salisbury Journal · 8 Oct, 16:17
• Dog walker murdered in the woods, say policePolice "strongly believe" Graham Pennycook was attacked at the spot where his body was found.BBC Wiltshire · 8 Oct, 15:51
• Police believe dog walker was assaulted before death in woodlandWiltshire Police renew appeal over Ludgershall man Graham Pennycook’s murder after alleged woodland assault at Perham Down. Dashcam witnesses urgently sought.Salisbury Journal · 8 Oct, 13:14

In this story: Graham Pennycook · Wiltshire Police · Ludgershall · Perham Down

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem