Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with murdering former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe. Kerry, who wore a grey tracksuit, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey later that day.
Alleged Attack
Miss Widdecombe, 78, was eating lunch at her home in Dartmoor, Devon, on July 8 when she was killed, the court heard. Prosecutor Kashif Malik said Kerry pulled up in a red Vauxhall Corsa, entered through the front door, and struck her on the head with a hammer 21 times. He then allegedly tipped her from her chair, took a wallet from her handbag, and left within two minutes.
Discovery of Body
Miss Widdecombe missed a pre-arranged interview with Channel 5's Matt Allwright show. The production team contacted her personal assistant, who asked the gardener to check on her. The gardener entered via the open front door on July 9 and found her face down on the kitchen floor with a serious head injury. A provisional cause of death was blunt force injury to the head.
Arrest and Next Steps
Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11 in Rotherham, 268 miles from the crime scene. He appeared emotionless at the Old Bailey, where prosecutor Alistair Richardson said Kerry had been living in Rotherham. Kerry will next appear on October 9 for a case management hearing, with a plea and trial preparation hearing on November 20. A provisional trial date is set for June 8, 2027.
Ann Widdecombe's Career
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 her death, she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for Reform UK. She also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
