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Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe and with engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts, including against Nigel Farage MP, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on 2 October 2026. Both charges are allegations, not findings of guilt. The CPS said Kerry was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 7 October.
What has Joshua Kerry been charged with?
| Charge | What the authorities have stated |
|---|---|
| Murder | The CPS announced one count of murdering Ann Widdecombe on 20 July 2026. CPS announcement. |
| Preparation of terrorist acts | The CPS says the charge is engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006. Its announcement says the alleged conduct was between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026, and included acts against Nigel Farage MP. CPS charge announcement. |
The charge announcement does not set out a specific operational plan or establish what evidence supports the allegation concerning Farage. Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed the preparation charge on 2 October but did not publicly provide those details. Police statement.
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What was publicly known about the case before the new charge?
- 8 July 2026: Widdecombe died. Counter Terrorism Policing’s later statement gave that date. Sky News reported that a court had previously heard an allegation that she was struck with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor; that account is an allegation reported as having been heard in court, not a finding of guilt. Sky News report.
- 11 July: Devon and Cornwall Police said a 28-year-old man had been arrested in Rotherham on suspicion of murder. At that early stage, police said they had no information suggesting terrorism or political motivation and were not seeking anyone else in connection with the murder. Police statement.
- 20 July: When announcing the murder charge, the CPS said enquiries into motive were continuing, “including a potential political or terrorist connection.” Counter Terrorism Policing reported more than 800 lines of enquiry at that point; that is a figure from its 20 July update, not a current total. CPS statement; police update.
- 7 August: Counter Terrorism Policing said it had reopened an investigation into an attempted burglary reported in Greater London in April 2025. The original investigation had been closed pending new lines of enquiry, and there had been no arrests. Police said a line of enquiry identified after reopening “may have been relevant” but had not been identified and pursued earlier; Counter Terrorism Policing London made a mandatory conduct referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The public update did not name an address or suspect, and does not establish that this burglary inquiry was the basis of the later preparation charge. Police update.
The July 11 statement reflected what police said they knew then; the later charge and CPS comments describe subsequent developments. Neither the change in the public account nor the charge itself proves a particular motive.
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In its 2 October announcement, the CPS said Kerry was due at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 7 October 2026. That is the next appearance stated in the announcement; the source does not report its outcome. CPS announcement.
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The proceedings are active. The CPS says a decision to charge is not a finding of fact or an implication of guilt, and that Kerry has the right to a fair trial. It has also warned that commentary or sharing information could prejudice the proceedings.
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- Status: Extended Catalog Item
- Isbn: 1414333080
- Isbn-13: 9781414333083
- Speedy#: 050519
- CPC Super: Inspiration
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