Joshua Kerry, 28, has appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court and the Old Bailey charged with the murder of former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe.

Prosecutors allege that Kerry entered Widdecombe’s home in Haytor, Devon, while she was eating lunch on 8 July and struck her 21 times on the head with a hammer. They say he tipped her from her chair, took a wallet from her handbag and left approximately two minutes after entering the property.

Widdecombe, 78, was found lying face down on her kitchen floor the following day after she failed to appear for a scheduled Channel 5 interview. Prosecutors said footage from a camera inside the house captured the alleged attack.

Kerry spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He was remanded in custody and is due to return to the Old Bailey on 9 October. A provisional trial date has been set for 8 June 2027. Police continue to investigate a possible political or terrorist motive, although Kerry has not been charged with a terrorism offence.

Ann Widdecombe was hit on the head with a hammer 21 times at her home as she ate lunch in an attack that was caught on camera, prosecutors have told Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Kashif Malik said the man charged with her murder, Joshua Kerry, arrived at her house on 8 July in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door.

Kerry, who prosecutors say was in the property for two minutes and was wearing black gloves, then allegedly hit Widdecombe repeatedly with a hammer in her kitchen, tipped her from her chair and took her wallet before driving off.

At the Old Bailey hearing, prosecutor Alistair Richardson said the attack on Widdecombe had been carried out with a “ferocity of violence.”

BBC

This was a horrifying act of violence against an elderly woman in her own home. I strongly disagreed with Ann Widdecombe’s politics, but no one should have their life ended in fear and brutality. The circumstances are deeply upsetting.

Now that a man has been charged, the case must be allowed to proceed fairly. Media-law experts have rightly warned people to be cautious about what they post online. Once criminal proceedings are active, commentary that could influence potential jurors or prejudice the trial may breach contempt-of-court rules.

That is why the Daily Mail’s decision to publish identifying details about the suspect before the normal charging process had concluded deserves scrutiny. Reporting must not become a race to expose personal information at the expense of due process. The public has a legitimate interest in the case, but the defendant is entitled to a fair trial, and careless speculation could jeopardise that.

The focus should remain on verified information from the police, prosecutors and the court. This is already a devastating case. It should not be made worse by sensational reporting or reckless social-media commentary.

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