Man charged with hammer murder of former UK MP Ann Widdecombe

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with the murder of former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe, 78, at her home in Hayton, Nottinghamshire, earlier this month. Prosecutors said she was hit repeatedly on the head with a hammer while eating lunch; security footage reportedly showed a man entering and asking about bank cards.

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Ann Widdecombe was hit on head repeatedly with hammer, prosecutors say

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Joshua Kerry, 28, attacked Widdecombe while she was eating lunch at her home in Devon before stealing her wallet, prosecutors say.

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BBC Published 21 July 2026

Ann Widdecombe was hit on head repeatedly with hammer, prosecutors say

NYT Published 21 July 2026

British Politician Ann Widdecombe Was Murdered with a Hammer, Prosecutors Say

The politician, Ann Widdecombe, was eating lunch at home when a man walked in and asked whether she had bank cards, security footage showed.

Guardian Published 21 July 2026

Ann Widdecombe was hit on head repeatedly with hammer, court told

Joshua Kerry appears at Westminster magistrates court charged with murder of former MP earlier this month A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of former MP and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe. Joshua Kerry, 28, is accused of killing the 78-year-old former Conservative minister at her home in Haytor, Devon, earlier this month, by hitting her on the head with a hammer 21 times. Continue reading...

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