Ann Widdecombe was allegedly struck on the head with a hammer 21 times in her home as she ate lunch on July 8, prosecutors revealed at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The man charged with her murder, 28-year-old Joshua Kerry, is accused of entering her Haytor, Devon residence, attacking her in the kitchen, and then leaving with her wallet.

Prosecutors presented details of the alleged attack during court proceedings, which were prompted by Widdecombe's failure to attend a pre-arranged online interview with Channel 5's Matt Allwright show. Her personal assistant, unable to reach her, asked her gardener to check on her. The gardener discovered Widdecombe unresponsive on her kitchen floor on July 9.

Security camera footage from Widdecombe's home reportedly captured the fatal assault, according to prosecutor Kashif Malik. He informed the court that the investigation is also exploring potential terrorism or political motivations behind the attack. Kerry, from Rotherham, was charged with murder on Monday night and has been remanded in custody.

The implications of this alleged attack, particularly the investigation into potential extremist motives, suggest a complex and potentially far-reaching case. Counter-terrorism detectives are leading the investigation, indicating the seriousness with which authorities are treating the circumstances surrounding Widdecombe's death.

Joshua Kerry appeared emotionless during his court appearances, speaking only to confirm his personal details. He has not yet entered a plea. A provisional trial date has been set for June 8, 2027, with a case management hearing scheduled for October 9. Kerry is expected to be held at HMP Belmarsh.

A provisional cause of death has been determined as a blunt force injury to the head, according to a pathologist. An earlier inquest hearing confirmed emergency services were called on July 9, the day Widdecombe was found, and she was pronounced dead at 12:20. However, the precise medical cause of death is still under investigation pending the full post-mortem examination results.

Ann Widdecombe had a long career in politics, serving as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Maidstone for 23 years and holding ministerial positions in the 1990s under Sir John Major's government. Following her parliamentary career, she gained public recognition for her appearances on television shows, including the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Questions remain about the precise timeline of the attack, the full extent of the investigation into potential motivations, and the final determination of the cause of death. The involvement of counter-terrorism detectives highlights the unusual nature of the case, moving beyond a typical homicide investigation.