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Horrific new details were revealed today of how the former MP and Reform UK spokesperson was killed in her own home, ITV News Correspondent John Ray reports

Ann Widdecombe died after being hit 21 times over the head with a hammer, a prosecutor has told a court.

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with the murder of the 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister.

Prosecutor Kashif Malik told the court that Widdecombe failed to attend a pre-arranged online interview shortly before 1pm on July 8, which had been due to air live on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright Show.

The programme’s production team tried to contact Widdecombe through her personal assistant, who then asked the family gardener to check on her, the court heard.

Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said the gardener found the former MP lying face down on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury the following day.

Mr Malik alleged that, after Widdecombe had been eating lunch on July 8, the defendant, Kerry, pulled up outside her home in a red Vauxhall Corsa.

The prosecutor alleged Kerry struck Widdecombe 21 times to the head with a hammer before tipping her from her chair and taking a wallet out of her handbag.

The defendant is said to have been inside the property for around two minutes before leaving in the car.

An opening of an inquest into Widdecombe’s death at Exeter Coroners’ Court heard her cause of death is yet to be established.

Ann Widdecombe was killed at her home in Devon Credit: PA

Coroner Philip Spinney said the inquest would be adjourned until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.

Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Widdecombe was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.

He was also arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but has not been charged with that offence.

A bearded Kerry, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and Byrley Road address.

A court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Joshua Kerry, 28, appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Credit: PA

He will next appear at the Old Bailey on October 9 for a case management hearing before a further plea and trial preparation hearing on November 20.

He will have to wait almost a year if the case goes to trial, after a provisional date was set for June 8, 2027.

Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Monday, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor said detectives are still investigating any possible political or terrorist motivation.

Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, was a prisons minister in the 1990s and later became an MEP for the Brexit Party.

At the time of her death, she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for Reform UK.

She also found fame outside politics on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

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