Former Police Officer Faces Murder Charge After Wife's Death in Norwich
A father-of-three accused of fatally cutting his estranged wife's throat had previously served with police forces in both the United Kingdom and the United States, according to emerging details about the case. Raymond Williams, aged 61, was arrested during the early hours of January 18, shortly after the mother of his children, Tania Williams, 49, was attacked outside her Norfolk home. He has since been formally charged with her murder.
International Police Background Revealed
Colleagues have disclosed that Williams, who was originally born in Dallas, Texas, served with a police force in that American city during his earlier career. After relocating to the United Kingdom, he is understood to have initially worked as a traffic warden for Norwich City Council before transitioning to become a police community support officer with Norfolk Constabulary for approximately one year.
During his time with the Norfolk force, Williams covered the Mile Cross ward in Norwich and also served in Great Yarmouth, according to former colleagues. Additionally, he is reported to have worked as a coach for the renowned American football team, the Dallas Cowboys, at some point in his varied career.
Tragic Scene Outside Family Home
Mrs Williams, a regular churchgoer who had another child from a previous relationship, was discovered with severe injuries outside her home of over ten years in Thorpe St Andrew just before midnight on January 17. Despite neighbours' desperate attempts to save her life, she tragically died at the scene. A subsequent post-mortem examination established that the cause of death was catastrophic blood loss resulting from a wound to her neck.
One local resident recounted the harrowing moments: 'I came out and heard my neighbour say "Call 999". I was standing on the phone with 999 and I was quite shaky. They told me to do CPR on her but my neighbour said she was far gone by then. We knew it was Tania because of her bright blue hair. I was on the phone with the emergency services until the police got here at about 11.48pm. It's a shock to my system - you never would have thought it would have happened on your doorstep.'
Another neighbour remembered Mrs Williams as a 'bubbly person', adding: 'She was so lovely. I can't believe it's happened. It doesn't feel real.' Floral tributes have since been placed outside her Catherine Gardens residence as the community mourns her loss.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Williams was arrested in the early hours of January 18 at a nearby address where he had been living. He made his initial appearance at Norwich Magistrates' Court last Tuesday, where his case was transferred to the crown court for more serious proceedings.
During a brief hearing at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday, Williams appeared via videolink from HMP Norwich, wearing a grey jumper and trousers. He spoke only to confirm his personal details during the session. No application for bail was made, and Judge Anthony Bate remanded him into custody. A two-week trial has been scheduled to commence on July 20.
Remembering Tania Williams
Mrs Williams was a prominent and active member of her local community. She served as a devoted member of the congregation at the parish church of Thorpe St Andrew and volunteered regularly at a nearby Oxfam charity shop. The church released a statement praising her contributions: 'She was a true evangelist of the gospel, encouraging and bringing others to faith with her uniquely colourful, kind and joyful persona.'
Her grieving family, who are receiving support from specially trained police officers, issued their own heartfelt statement describing how she was 'passionate about her four children'. They added: 'Tania was undoubtedly beautiful, she was honest but mostly was always giving to others, the list about her bubbly personality truly goes on. Our family wants to continue to honour her and her generous nature even in her passing, which stems from deep rooted faith and kindness. Even though her life was cut short; she still lived a full life - leaving many beautiful memories with her children and family behind. Her children want to keep their memories of her alive by honouring her passions and fulfil any dreams she didn't get to do here on earth.'
Professional and Community Involvement
Professionally, Mrs Williams worked for seven years at City College Norwich as an administrator. Jerry White, CEO and principal of the college, remembered her fondly: 'Tania's helpful and supportive attitude - coupled with a great range of different hair colourings - always made a positive impression on everyone she worked with.'
She remained actively engaged in local community matters throughout her life. Just last year, she was quoted in a local newspaper advocating for dog waste bins to be installed near her home to prevent mess being left on pavements and improve what she described as the 'overall look of, what is generally, a nice area'.
Police Confirmation and Investigation
Police Community Support Officers, introduced in 2002 to provide back-up to regular officers, traditionally worked within neighbourhoods to address anti-social behaviour and prevent crime. Norfolk Police became the first force to phase out these roles in 2018.
A Norfolk Police spokesman confirmed: 'We can confirm that Raymond Williams was employed as a Police Community Support Officer for approximately nine months, starting in September 2004 before he resigned in June 2005.'
Investigators have appealed for any dashcam footage taken in Yarmouth Road in Thorpe St Andrew between 11pm and 11.45pm on January 17, as they continue to piece together the events leading to this tragic incident.
