Joshua Kerry Rotherham now faces a murder charge over the death of Ann Widdecombe. The 28-year-old from Rotherham in South Yorkshire is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
Widdecombe was 78 when she was found dead on Thursday 9 July at her home in Haytor, Devon, after sustaining serious injuries. She was a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman.
Frank Ferguson statement
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.” He added that prosecutors had worked closely with police to establish that there was sufficient evidence to bring the case to court.
Ferguson also said: “We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.” He said: “It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings,”
Police investigation motives
Police enquiries into Kerry’s motives are ongoing, including a possible political or terrorist connection. That leaves the charge and the motive inquiry running on separate tracks: prosecutors have moved the case into court, while investigators continue to examine why the death happened.
For readers following the case, the next fixed step is Kerry’s appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where the charge moves from investigation into the court process.
