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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<\/p>\n
Ann Widdecombe died after being hit 21 times over the head with a hammer, a prosecutor has told a court.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates\u2019 Court on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors said the gardener found the former MP lying face down on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury the following day.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The defendant is said to have been inside the property for around two minutes before leaving in the car.<\/p>\n
An opening of an inquest into Widdecombe’s death at Exeter Coroners’ Court heard her cause of death is yet to be established. <\/p>\n
Ann Widdecombe was killed at her home in Devon Credit: PA<\/p>\n
Coroner Philip Spinney said the inquest would be adjourned until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He was also arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but has not been charged with that offence.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Joshua Kerry, 28, appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Credit: PA<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
He will have to wait almost a year if the case goes to trial, after a provisional date was set for June 8, 2027. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
At the time of her death, she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for Reform UK.<\/p>\n
She also found fame outside politics on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.<\/p>\n