Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman. Prosecutors allege Kerry struck Widdecombe 21 times on the head with a hammer during a two-minute attack at her bungalow in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.
Attack Details Revealed in Court
Kashif Malik, prosecuting, told the court that on July 8, Widdecombe, 78, was eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside her home in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. He is accused of using a hammer to hit her repeatedly on the top of her head, tipping her from her chair, and stealing a wallet from her handbag before driving off. The entire incident lasted approximately two minutes, the court heard.
A provisional cause of death was given as blunt force injury to the head. Widdecombe was found face down on her kitchen floor by the family gardener on July 9, after she failed to attend a pre-arranged online interview for Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show the previous day. The show’s production team had contacted her personal assistant, who then asked the gardener to check on her.
Arrest and Terrorism Investigation
Kerry was arrested on July 11 on suspicion of murder, two days after Widdecombe’s body was discovered. He was also arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but has not been charged with that offence. Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Monday, Laurence Taylor, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, said detectives are still investigating any possible political or terrorist motivation.
In court, a bearded Kerry appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and Byrley Road address. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey later on Tuesday.
Widdecombe's Political and Public Life
Ann Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987 and served as a prisons minister in the 1990s. She later became a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party. At the time of her death, she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for Reform UK. She also gained fame outside politics as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
