Joshua Kerry appeared at the Old Bailey facing charges of murdering Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe and preparing acts of terrorism. Prosecutors allege the killing was motivated by political and ideological beliefs, claiming the defendant held specific hostility towards the party. The case is expected to proceed to a five-week trial next year.
Joshua Kerry appeared at the Old Bailey on 9 October 2026 facing charges of murdering Ann Widdecombe and preparing acts of terrorism. The 28-year-old defendant appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh while wearing a grey prison-issue sweatshirt, according to the BBC and the Independent.
The prosecution alleges that the murder of the 78-year-old Reform UK spokesperson was politically and ideologically motivated. According to the Independent and the BBC, the prosecution claims the killing has a terrorist connection and was driven by specific beliefs.
The victim was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on 9 July. The Independent reports that she had been struck over the head 21 times with a hammer during the fatal attack.
The defendant is facing these serious allegations following the death of the former minister in July. The legal proceedings are now moving towards a formal hearing to manage the case and the upcoming trial scheduled for next year.
Prosecutors have argued that the defendant possessed a specific mindset that drove his actions. The BBC reports that prosecutors described Kerry as having an extreme left wing and/or anti-establishment mindset.
The prosecution has further alleged that the defendant's actions were tied to his views on political organisations. Jonathan Polnay KC, prosecutor, said, "He held a particular hostility towards Reform."
The charges include the preparation of acts of terrorism occurring between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026, according to the Independent. This period covers the time leading up to the death of Mrs Widdecombe in July.
The prosecution's case rests on the claim that the murder was driven by these specific political and ideological motivations. They suggest the defendant's mindset was central to the alleged crimes throughout this period.
The prosecution claims that Kerry engaged in online reconnaissance targeting various politicians and public figures. According to the Independent, this included finding home and office addresses, which were reportedly kept in a note on his mobile phone.
It is alleged that the defendant attempted to break into the home of Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, on 19 April 2025. This incident reportedly took place 15 months before the death of Mrs Widdecombe, according to the BBC.
The Independent reports that Farage's partner discovered damage to a front door and found a bottle of lighter fluid on the porch the day after the alleged attempted break-in at the South London residence.
These alleged actions against the Reform UK leader form part of the broader context of the terrorism charges. The prosecution is presenting these events as part of a pattern of behaviour involving political figures.
Ann Widdecombe was a former Conservative minister who served in ministerial roles during the 1990s under Sir John Major. She held a seat in Parliament representing the Maidstone and Weald constituency in Kent for 23 years, according to the BBC.
After her time in the Conservative Party, she joined Reform UK in 2019. She held a role as a spokesperson for the party at the time of her death in Devon.
The former minister was 78 years old when she was killed in Haytor. Her political career spanned several decades and included significant roles within the government during her time in office.
The investigation into her death has focused on the circumstances at her home in Haytor. The details of the attack have been reported by both the BBC and the Independent as the legal case progresses.
During the hearing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb agreed to join the two sets of charges into a single case, according to the BBC. This means the murder charge and the terrorism charges will be heard together in one proceeding.
Nicholas Lumley KC, defending counsel, told the court that Kerry is likely to contest all charges, according to the BBC. The defence has not yet provided further details regarding the upcoming legal steps or the strategy for the trial.
The defendant remains in custody at HMP Belmarsh as the legal process moves towards the next stage of management. The court has consolidated the charges to ensure they are dealt with in one single case.
The legal team for the defence will prepare to respond to the specific allegations made by the prosecution. The combined case will address both the murder and the terrorism-related charges during the upcoming court dates.
A plea and case management hearing has been scheduled for 29 January. This will be the next formal step in the legal proceedings against Joshua Kerry as the court organises the case.
The court has also set a date for the full trial, which is expected to last for five weeks, according to the BBC. The trial is scheduled to begin on 8 June next year.
The proceedings will continue to examine the alleged links between the defendant's political views and the crimes he is accused of committing. The trial will address the full scope of the prosecution's claims.
The next concrete step in the case will be the hearing in January to manage the progression of the trial. This will set the stage for the five-week trial starting in June.
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