By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-07-21 13:56:06 | Updated at 2026-08-05 07:53:11
2 weeks ago
Ann Widdecombe died after she was hit on the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Devon on July 8, prosecutors have told Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
A 28-year-old man, Joshua Kerry, was charged yesterday with the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
Kerry has been remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey this afternoon after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier today.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik told the court that, on July 8, Ms Widdecombe had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside the front of her house in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered using the front door.
A provisional cause of death was given as a “blunt force injury to the head”, the court heard.
Kerry appeared in the dock of Court 1 at Westminster Magistrates Court.
He appeared emotionless in the dock, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the short hearing.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded him in custody until his next court appearance, set to be at the Old Bailey on Tuesday afternoon.
Ann Widdecombe died after being hit on the head with a hammer 21 times Westminster Magistrates’ Court has been told
PA
Mr Goldspring told Kerry: “You’re charged with an offence of murder which can only be dealt with in a crown court.”
He added: “You are therefore remanded into custody and sent to crown court.”
Kerry is accused of then walking to the Reform UK spokeswoman’s kitchen and using a hammer to hit her on the top of her head 21 times, the court heard.
Kerry then allegedly tipped Ms Widdecombe from her chair and took a wallet out of her handbag before leaving and driving off, having only been in the property for two minutes, the court heard.
Ann Widdecombe was due to appear on for a media interview, but never showed leading her personal assistant to find her, the court heard
She was found by her gardener lying face down on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury, Westminster Magistrates’ Court has heard.
The court heard that Ms Widdecombe did not attend a pre-arranged media interview scheduled for just before 1pm.
The production team for the show she was due to appear on attempted to contact the Reform UK spokeswoman through her personal assistant, who then asked the gardener to check on her, the court heard.
Prosecutors said he entered the house via the open front door the following day, July 9, and found Ms Widdecombe lying face down on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury.
Kerry, of Byrley Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, wore a grey tracksuit as he was accompanied by an officer in the dock.
Kerry was first arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Ms Widdecombe was found dead at her Dartmoor home.
Kerry was later further arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but he has not been charged with this offence.
