Joshua Kerry, 28, stands accused of bursting into Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe's home and striking her 21 times with a hammer. He then allegedly drove 265 miles back to his home in Rotherham. The Home Secretary stated he was not previously known to Prevent, the UK's anti-radicalisation programme, while Nigel Farage has questioned his political leanings. No motive for the attack has been established, with counter-terror police still probing more than 800 lines of inquiry.
Details of the alleged attack
Prosecutor Alistair Richardson said that on July 8, Widdecombe did not attend a pre-arranged online interview just before 1pm, which would have been aired live on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show. The show's production team tried to contact her through her personal assistant, who then asked the family gardener to check on her. The gardener found the politician lying face down on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury the next day, July 9.
Mr Richardson said that on July 8, Widdecombe had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside her house in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. A hallway camera showed her eating lunch before the defendant entered and asked: 'Don't suppose you have bank cards and ID?' Kerry, wearing black gloves and holding a hammer to his side, then struck her 21 times, the court heard. He is accused of tipping her from her chair, taking a wallet from her handbag, and driving off after being in the house for only two minutes. A provisional cause of death was blunt force injury to the head.
Who is Joshua Kerry?
Kerry had worked in an office for a lift manufacturer. Neighbours described him as a loner living with just his dog since his father, an amputee who did 'everything' for him, died from cancer in December. His mother, a former teaching assistant, is believed to have moved away. He has two brothers, one who also left the area and the other who joined the Navy. His uncle described him as 'a quiet, polite lad, and very shy.' The uncle told The Sun: 'The only thing I can think of is he's been left on his own after his dad's death and he's spiralled. Never in a million years did I think he would be linked to this. I'm just absolutely flabbergasted.' In 2022, Kerry was pictured at his office job holding a jar of Easter eggs during a charity fundraiser for local sea cadets.
Next steps in the case
Kerry has been remanded in custody after appearing at the Old Bailey charged with murder. He will appear at the same court on 9 October for a case management hearing, followed by a plea and trial preparation hearing on 20 November. A provisional trial date was set for 8 June 2027. He was also arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences but has not been charged with that.
