Former British minister was hit in the head 21 times with a hammer, says accusation

Joshua Kerry, 28, appeared at the hearing accused of murdering the former parliamentarian. According to prosecutors, he parked outside the residence in Devon, southwest England, entered the front door and found Widdecombe sitting at the table.

Security footage would have recorded the suspect attacking the victim with the hammer. After the blows, Kerry allegedly knocked Widdecombe off the chair, took a wallet from her bag and left the property. The entire action would have taken place in approximately two minutes.

The former minister's body was found on July 9, one day after the crime. Widdecombe's absence from an interview prompted members of her team to look for her. She was found dead by an employee at the residence.

Kerry was arrested on July 11 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, more than 400 kilometers from the scene of the murder. The suspect allegedly fled in a red Vauxhall Corsa, a vehicle that helped investigators locate him.

A preliminary assessment found that Widdecombe suffered a head injury caused by a blunt object. During the opening of the investigation, however, authorities reported that the exact medical cause of death had not yet been established, despite the post-mortem examination.

Widdecombe was an MP for the Conservative Party between 1987 and 2010 and held positions in former Prime Minister John Major's government. Later, he joined the Brexit Party and Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage.

The police are also investigating the possibility of political or terrorist motivation. Agents specializing in counterterrorism are participating in the investigation, which has not yet reached a conclusion about the motive for the murder.

Former British minister is found dead; man is arrested

Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found with serious injuries inside her home in southwest England. Police are investigating the case as a homicide and say there is no evidence of political motivation or terrorism