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 former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9.
Details of the alleged attack
Kashif Malik, prosecuting, said that on July 8, Miss Widdecombe did not attend a pre-arranged online interview at 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. He found her lying face down on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury the next day.
Mr Malik said that on July 8, Miss Widdecombe had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside her house in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. He then allegedly 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 being in the house for only two minutes.
Provisional cause of death and court appearance
A provisional cause of death was given as a blunt force injury to the head. Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Miss 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 this offence.
A bearded Kerry, 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.
Investigation into motivation
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. 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 found fame outside politics on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
