Court Reveals How Many Times Ann Widdecombe Was Hit in the Head With a Hammer While Sitting in Her Kitchen

Former MP Ann Widdecombe was allegedly killed after being hit 21 times on the head with a hammer inside her home in Devon, a court has heard. Prosecutors told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that the attack happened on July 8 and described it as a violent assault that lasted only a short time.

The court heard that Miss Widdecombe had been sitting in her kitchen eating lunch when Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, allegedly arrived outside her home in a red Vauxhall Corsa. Prosecutors claim he entered the property through the front door before walking straight into the kitchen, where he allegedly attacked her with a hammer. They told the court that she was struck 21 times on the top of her head, leaving her with devastating injuries. A provisional post-mortem examination later concluded that she died from a blunt force injury to the head.

Prosecutors also claimed that after the alleged attack, Kerry tipped Miss Widdecombe from her chair onto the kitchen floor. They alleged that he then took a wallet from her handbag before leaving the property. The court heard that he was inside the house for only around two minutes before driving away.

The attack was not discovered immediately. The court was told that Miss Widdecombe had been due to take part in a live online interview on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright Show just before 1pm on July 8. When she failed to appear, members of the production team tried several times to contact her. After they could not reach her, they got in touch with her personal assistant, who became concerned and asked her gardener to visit the property to make sure she was safe.

The following day, July 9, the gardener arrived at the house and found the front door open. He went inside and made the tragic discovery. Miss Widdecombe was lying face down on the kitchen floor with a serious head injury. Emergency services were called, but there was nothing they could do to save her.

Joshua Kerry appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe. During the short hearing, he remained expressionless and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told him that a murder charge can only be dealt with by the Crown Court. He was remanded in custody and his case was sent to the Old Bailey for the next stage of the legal process.

At this stage, the allegations have only been presented by prosecutors in court. Joshua Kerry has been charged with murder, but the case has not yet gone to trial, and he has not been convicted. The investigation and court proceedings are continuing.