Published

Crime13 July, 20262 min read

Joshua Kerry, 28, Charged With Murdering Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Devon

This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, charged with Widdecombe's murder; to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Widdecombe found dead at her home in Haytor Vale, Devon.

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Joshua Kerry, 28, Charged With Murdering Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Devon
Image: Yorkshire Post

Joshua Kerry Charged

British prosecutors charged Joshua Kerry, 28, with the murder of former politician Ann Widdecombe after police said they believe she was attacked July 8 and found dead the next day at her home in Haytor, Devon. The Crown Prosecution Service said Kerry was charged Monday after more than a week in custody, and ABC News & Headlines reported he was arrested a week prior and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

“Joshua Kerry, 28, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.”
ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Police said they were continuing to investigate his motive, including a potential political or terrorist connection, and counter-terrorism policing head Laurence Taylor said the case remains an active avenue of investigation for detectives. Widdecombe, 78, had been a Conservative MP between 1987 and 2010 and was serving as a spokesperson for the right-wing Reform UK party at the time of her death, according to ABC News & Headlines and the BBC.

Image from 20Minutos
Image: 20Minutos
Reporting for this sectionABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting CorporationBBC

Investigators Seek Motive

Laurence Taylor told reporters that determining the motivation, including any possible political motivation, remains an active avenue of investigation, and he said detectives were working through more than 800 lines of inquiry. The Crown Prosecution Service said it had charged Kerry after establishing there was sufficient evidence to bring the case to court, and it reminded the public that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.

The BBC reported Kerry was initially arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July before being additionally arrested on 13 July on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The Independent said Frank Ferguson announced the charges and quoted prosecutors saying police enquiries into the defendant's motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.

Image from ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Image: ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Reporting for this sectionBBCThe Independent

Court Dates and Security

Kerry, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, was scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, with ABC News & Headlines saying he would appear later today and the BBC stating the court date as Tuesday. Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, and Taylor said authorities were working with the Speaker of the House and relevant authorities to ensure elected officials are aware of what is in place to protect them.

“It remains the case we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident.”
ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The Globe and Mail reported Taylor said officers were working closely with the Speaker of the House and other parliamentary authorities to ensure elected officials are aware of what they have in place to protect them. The BBC also reported that proceedings remain ongoing and that counter terrorism teams gathered a huge amount of information over the last week, leading to more than 800 lines of enquiry.

Reporting for this sectionABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting CorporationThe Globe and Mail