Prosecutor Kashif Malik laid out a terrifying sequence of events at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Former government minister and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe was struck 21 times on the head with a hammer inside her home in Haytor, Devon.
She was 78 years old.
The suspect, 28-year-old Joshua Kerry from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, allegedly drove 265 miles across the country before walking through her unlocked front door on July 8 while she was eating lunch. Internal security footage captured the entire two-minute attack. The prosecution revealed that Kerry asked her, "Don't suppose you have bank cards and ID?" before launching the violent assault, tipping her from her chair, snatching her wallet, and fleeing.
The details disclosed in court offer a definitive look at what transpired on Dartmoor, the timeline of the investigation, and the legal proceedings now underway.
The Attack inside the Dartmoor Home
The prosecution's account provides a clear picture of what happened on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Widdecombe was alone in her bungalow in Haytor Vale on Dartmoor, preparing to participate in a live television broadcast.
She was scheduled to appear on Channel 5's Matt Allwright Show shortly before 1:00 PM to discuss political matters. She never made the call.
Timeline of Events (July 8–9, 2026)
July 8, ~12:30 PM : Suspect arrives in a red Vauxhall Corsa
July 8, ~12:35 PM : 2-minute break-in; 21 hammer strikes recorded on camera
July 8, 12:50 PM : TV producers try contacting Widdecombe after missed interview
July 9, Morning : Family gardener finds Widdecombe on kitchen floor
July 11 : Joshua Kerry arrested in South Yorkshire
July 13 : Counter-terrorism officers take over investigation
July 21 : First court appearances at Westminster and Old Bailey
According to court filings, Kerry pulled up outside the property in a red Vauxhall Corsa. He entered the house through the front door and walked directly into the kitchen.
The attack lasted roughly 120 seconds. Camera footage recovered from inside the bungalow showed the assailant striking Widdecombe repeatedly on the top of her head with a hammer. After she collapsed, he grabbed her wallet from her handbag, left the kitchen, and drove away.
How the Alarm Was Raised
When Widdecombe failed to log on for her scheduled television appearance, producers from the show repeatedly tried to reach her. They also contacted her personal assistant.
Unable to reach Widdecombe directly, the assistant contacted her gardener to perform a welfare check at the property.
On the morning of July 9, the gardener entered the bungalow and found Widdecombe lying face down on her kitchen floor with severe head injuries. Emergency services arrived shortly afterward and formally declared her dead.
A preliminary postmortem examination conducted by a Home Office pathologist gave the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.
The Arrest and Counter-Terrorism Involvement
Devon and Cornwall Police initiated a murder inquiry on July 9. Investigators quickly focused on vehicle tracking data and CCTV, identifying a red Vauxhall Corsa spotted near the Haytor bungalow around the estimated time of the attack.
On July 11, officers arrested Joshua Kerry at his home on Byrley Road in Rotherham.
Two days later, on July 13, the case took a major shift when counter-terrorism police officially assumed control of the investigation. Kerry was rearrested under anti-terrorism legislation on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Detectives are actively examining whether the killing was politically motivated or linked to an ideology. Widdecombe had spent decades in the public eye—serving as Conservative MP for Maidstone and The Weald from 1987 to 2010, later becoming a Brexit Party MEP in 2019, and most recently working as a prominent spokesperson for Reform UK.
Court Proceedings and Legal Roadmap
Joshua Kerry made two separate court appearances in London on Tuesday, July 21.
- Westminster Magistrates' Court: Dressed in a grey tracksuit, Kerry spoke only to state his name, date of birth, and home address. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring formally sent the murder charge to the higher court.
- The Old Bailey: Later that afternoon, Kerry appeared before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb and Judge Richard Marks. Bail was formally denied, and he was remanded in custody.
Upcoming Legal Milestones
October 9, 2026 : Case management hearing
November 20, 2026 : Plea and trial preparation hearing
June 8, 2027 : Provisional trial start date
In parallel with the criminal proceedings, an inquest opened at Exeter Coroners' Court. Senior Coroner Philip Spinney formally opened the hearing, paid tribute to Widdecombe's decades of public service, and immediately suspended the inquest pending the outcome of the criminal trial.
A Disturbing Trend in Public Life Security
The tragic killing of Ann Widdecombe highlights growing concerns over the safety of public figures in the UK.
This marks the third fatal attack on a current or former British politician in recent years, following the murders of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021.
Security experts and political analysts point out that politicians frequently operate with minimal personal protection when at their private residences. While serving Cabinet ministers often receive dedicated police protection, former MPs and party spokespeople typically rely on standard residential security.
The presence of internal security cameras inside Widdecombe's Dartmoor bungalow provided police with critical evidence. However, physical access to her rural home remained vulnerable.
What Happens Next
The criminal justice process will now move forward through the Central Criminal Court in London.
- Evidence Review: Counter-terrorism officers will continue reviewing digital devices, driving records, and potential ideological links ahead of the autumn hearings.
- Plea Hearing: Kerry is scheduled to return to the Old Bailey on November 20, 2026, to enter a formal plea.
- Full Trial: If he pleads not guilty, a full criminal trial is set to begin on June 8, 2027.
Follow updates through official court releases from the Central Criminal Court as the case progresses toward the October hearing.
