Prosecutors have said that Ann Widdecombe died after being hit on the head 21 times with a hammer. It is alleged by prosecutor Kashif Malik at Westminster Magistrates’ Court that the attack occurred as Widdecombe was eating lunch, stating that the accused, 28-year-old Joshua Kerry, entered her house through the front door. 

Kerry is alleged to have asked Widdecombe for identification and bank cards before the alleged attack. It is also claimed that the alleged assailant, following the attack, tipped her from her chair and took her wallet, with Kerry only being in the house for two minutes. He was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11 at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Widdecombe was found dead the following day, lying face down on her kitchen floor. Prosecutors said a camera inside the home had recorded the incident and that Widdecombe was discovered after her personal assistant asked her gardener to check on her. Widdecombe was found with serious injuries at her home in Dartmoor, Devon, on 9 July. She died aged 78.

Police believe the attack took place the previous day on July 8 at around 12.30pm. Counter-terrorism police took over the investigation on July 13 following the announcement that the attack was being treated as terrorism. Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said following the announcement that police were pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.

Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said: "We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor. Police enquiries into the defendant's motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.

"Our prosecutors have worked closely with the police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses.

"We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.

"It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Kerry, who was not asked to enter a plea, is charged with the murder of Widdecombe and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on July 21.

Following the announcement of her death, Masses were offered for the repose of the soul of Widdecombe, who was Catholic, at Westminster Cathedral and Buckfast Abbey on July 11.