The UK is in shock after the sudden death of Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe. The 78-year-old politician was found dead on July 9 with serious head injuries.
Prosecutors have charged Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, with Ann's murder. He appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court, where the court heard that Kerry allegedly entered Ann's house while she was eating lunch and asked her for bank cards and ID.
A camera positioned in the hallway captured the moment Kerry entered the house and asked Ann the questions. Prosecutors claim that Kerry then walked into the kitchen and used a hammer to hit Ann on the head 21 times.
The court was told that the suspect then allegedly tipped Ann from her chair, took a wallet out of her handbag, and left the property. The prosecution claims that Kerry was only inside the house for two minutes.
The Old Bailey was later told that the attack was allegedly a "planned and targeted" act carried out with a "ferocity of violence". Kerry has been remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey on October 9.
The Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division stated that the decision to prosecute Kerry was made following a police investigation into Ann's death, with motives including a potential political or terrorist connection.
