Unemployed thug faces life behind bars after kicking a mother to death

Unemployed thug faces life behind bars after kicking mother-of-two to death in a random and unprovoked attack as she walked to work at a vets near Lakeside shopping centre

  • A mother-of-two was killed in a random attack as she walked to work in Essex 
  • Julie Hunt, 47, was commuting to her job to a vets near Lakeside shopping centre
  • She was assaulted, knocked to the ground and then kicked as she lay helpless 
  • Florin Ion admitted the brutal and senseless murder at Chelmsford Crown Court

A man is facing life behind bars after he brutally killed a mum-of-two as she walked to work.

Florin Ion set upon Julie Hunt as she made her morning commute to her job at a vets near to the Lakeside shopping centre in Grays, Essex.

The 31-year-old approached the 47-year-old and suddenly assaulted her, knocking her to the ground before launching a volley of kicks as she lay helpless.

Julie Hunt, above, was attacked as she made her morning commute to her job at a vets near to the Lakeside shopping centre in Grays, Essex. Ion suddenly assaulted the mother-of-two, knocking her to the ground before launching a volley of kicks as she lay helpless [File photo]

Stunned members of the public rushed to her side as she lay dying on the ground.

Paramedics were scrambled following the 8.30am onslaught but sadly they could not save the ‘outgoing, loving and amazing’ mum.

Ion fled from the scene – close to the Lakeside shopping centre – but he was grabbed and stopped by brave passers-by.

Police arrived shortly afterwards and Ion was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He admitted the brutal and senseless killing when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today.

Ion fled from the scene – close to the Lakeside shopping centre (above) – but he was grabbed and stopped by brave passers-by. Police arrived shortly afterwards and Ion was arrested on suspicion of murder [File photo] 

It is still not known why he launched the attack on an innocent woman who was simply walking to work.

Birmingham man Ion was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month..

Afterwards Chief Superintendent Tracey Harman of Essex Police said Julie’s family were still struggling to cope with the senseless events of last April. <2018>

She said: ‘This was a brutal and totally unprovoked attack which has left an innocent woman dead.

‘Florin Ion’s actions have left Julie’s family devastated and he now faces a significant amount of time behind bars.


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‘He has at least spared them the trauma of re-living the ordeal through a trial.

‘I want to praise Julie’s family for their dignity and courage throughout the investigation.

‘I always want to thank the members of the public who detained Ion before officers arrived.’

Julie, of Rainham, Essex, had worked as a nursing assistant at veterinary surgeries for 27 years and had joined Vets4Pets Thurrock in June 2015.

In her biography on the surgery’s website she told how much she enjoyed working at the vets and had six cats at home.

Ion admitted the brutal and senseless killing when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today. It is still not known why he launched the attack on an innocent woman who was simply walking to work [File photo]

‘My spare time is mainly spent socialising with my family and friends, reading and looking after my furry babies,’ she wrote.

After the murder a Vets4Pets spokesman said: ‘Julie was a popular and well-respected member of our team. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.’

A tribute on a JustGiving set up for Julie’s family read: ‘Julie was a kind-hearted mother of two loved by many.

‘She was a soft soul who cared about anyone and everything around her. Julie’s loss has left a massive hole in our lives, but we can all remember her as the generous, loving, outgoing and amazing woman she was.

‘There was never a day that would go by without seeing her beautiful smile. We love you Julie, you are lost but you will never be forgotten.’

Julie was walking along A1306 Arterial Way shortly before 8.30am on April 20 2018 when she was attacked.

Ion – who admitted one count of murder – will be sentenced on March 7. 

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