A North London woman will go on trial for the murder of a man attacked at a hotel room in a popular Essex seaside town. Polly Murphy, 41, of Hornsey Lane Gardens in Highgate, London, allegedly assaulted James Self, 47, from London, in a hotel in Hartley Brook Road in Clacton on November 8 2023. James sustained several injuries and died on December 21 2023, Essex Police say.
Murphy was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but after James’ death was charged with murder. Murphy has been remanded in custody since November 11 2023. Murphy is also accused of criminal damage and will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court for trial on September 8 this year.
Detective Anthony Kopf, of the Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate, said: “All the work in this case has been to secure justice for James. We are glad this trial is now due to go ahead later this year.”
James is described as an ‘Artist, Painter, Copy Writer’ on his LinkedIn profile. An exhibition was held at Kelvedon Hall in Essex from May to June this year, to celebrate the paintings of James and his father Lawrence Self, a well-known artist who died aged 77 in 2001.
“James Self, raised in a family of artists, was drawn inevitably to painting despite initially pursuing medicine. His works reflect his deep relationship with nature—especially the atmospheric marshes of the Thames Estuary—and explore the interaction between human presence and wild landscapes. This exhibition is not only a tribute to artistic heritage but also to James’s memory,” said the website.
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