A court has heard disturbing allegations surrounding the death of former Conservative minister and Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe, with prosecutors claiming she was struck 21 times on the head with a hammer during a violent attack that lasted just two minutes.
Joshua Kerry, 28, from South Yorkshire, appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court accused of murdering the 78-year-old at her rural Dartmoor bungalow on July 8.
Prosecutors allege he entered the property through the open front door while Widdecombe was eating lunch in her kitchen shortly before she was due to participate in a live television interview.
CCTV Allegedly Recorded the Suspect’s Movements
According to the prosecution, home security footage played a crucial role in tracing the events leading up to the killing.
A Ring doorbell camera allegedly captured Kerry arriving at the property in a red Vauxhall Corsa before entering the bungalow.
Another camera inside the hallway is said to have recorded the fatal assault.
Prosecutors told the court that Kerry had concealed a hammer behind his back before confronting Widdecombe and allegedly asking whether she had any bank cards or identification.
The court heard that he then repeatedly struck her over the head before pushing her from her chair onto the kitchen floor.
Wallet Allegedly Stolen Before Suspect Left the Scene
Following the alleged assault, prosecutors claim Kerry searched through Widdecombe’s handbag and stole her wallet before leaving the property almost immediately.
The prosecution alleges the entire incident, from entry to departure, lasted approximately two minutes.
Investigators also told the court that Kerry had travelled around 300 miles from his home in Rotherham to Dartmoor before the alleged attack.
Welfare Check Led to Grim Discovery
Widdecombe was not found until the following day after concerns were raised when she failed to respond to calls and missed a scheduled media appearance.
Her personal assistant reportedly asked the gardener to check on her welfare.
Upon arriving at the property on July 9, he discovered the front door open and found Widdecombe lying face down on the kitchen floor with severe head injuries.
Emergency medical personnel attended the scene and confirmed her death, while police officers began their investigation shortly afterwards.
Police Investigation Led to Arrest and Evidence Recovery
Detectives later traced the red Vauxhall Corsa to Rotherham, where Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder later that evening.
Authorities subsequently detained him under the Terrorism Act as part of the investigation.
Searches carried out at his home allegedly uncovered a hammer and a pair of gloves inside a bin.
Prosecutors also claimed that a mobile phone seized during the investigation contained photographs taken on the day of the incident showing Widdecombe’s driving licence and bank cards, which they allege had been taken from her home after the attack.
Coroner Says Exact Medical Cause of Death Remains Undetermined
As criminal proceedings commenced, an inquest into Widdecombe’s death also opened in Devon.
Senior Coroner Philip Spinney confirmed that a post-mortem examination had been completed but said the precise medical cause of death had not yet been established despite the presence of visible injuries.
Evidence presented to the inquest stated that concerns arose after Widdecombe became unreachable, prompting a welfare check that led to the discovery of her body.
She was pronounced dead at the scene on July 9.
Mr Spinney suspended the inquest until the conclusion of the criminal case and extended his condolences to Widdecombe’s family, describing her as someone who was “much loved and greatly missed.”
Case Moves to the Old Bailey
Following the brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Joshua Kerry was remanded to appear before the Old Bailey, where the criminal proceedings into the death of Ann Widdecombe will continue.
The allegations against him remain subject to the ongoing court process.
