Man Accused of Ann Widdecombe Murder Struck Her 21 Times with Hammer
Quick Look
- Joshua Kerry has been charged with the murder of former government minister Ann Widdecombe, 78, who was struck 21 times with a hammer at her rural southwest England home on July 8.
- Prosecutors detailed the attack in a London court, stating a home camera captured the incident.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Former government minister Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in rural southwest England on July 9 after being attacked the day before. Police believe she was targeted, and Joshua Kerry has been charged with her murder.
The man accused of murdering former government minister Ann Widdecombe struck her 21 times on the top of her head with a hammer during the attack at her home earlier this month, prosecutors told a London court on Tuesday.
Widdecombe, 78, who was a prominent figure in Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK but no longer a member of parliament, was found dead at her home in rural southwest England on July 9 after being attacked the day before.
Police have said they believe Widdecombe had been clearly targeted, although the motive was still under investigation.
Joshua Kerry, a white British national from northern England, appeared at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with her murder. The bearded 28-year-old, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit, was not asked to enter a plea and will appear at the Old Bailey later on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik said a camera inside Widdecombe’s home had captured the incident, during which she had been repeatedly hit with a hammer.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Joshua Kerry will appear at the Old Bailey later on Tuesday.
Very likely · Within hours
Open Questions
- What was the motive for the attack?
