Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe by hitting her 21 times on the head with a hammer. The Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9.
Court details the attack
Kashif Malik, prosecuting, told the court that on July 8, Miss Widdecombe missed a pre-arranged online interview for Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show. The production team contacted her personal assistant, who asked the family gardener to check on her. The gardener found her lying face down on the kitchen floor with a serious head injury the next day.
Prosecutors said Kerry allegedly pulled up outside her home in a red Vauxhall Corsa, entered through the front door, and used a hammer to hit her on the top of her head 21 times. He is accused of tipping her from her chair, taking a wallet from her handbag, and driving off after just two minutes inside the house.
Cause of death and terrorism investigation
A provisional cause of death was given as blunt force injury to the head. Kerry 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, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor said detectives are still investigating any possible political or terrorist motivation.
Kerry, bearded and wearing a grey tracksuit, 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.
Ann Widdecombe's political and public life
Miss Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, served as a prisons minister in the 1990s, and later became an MEP for the Brexit Party. At the time of her death, she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for Reform UK. She also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
