The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe and plotting a terrorist act at Nigel Farage’s home is an alleged left-wing extremist who has an ‘anti-establishment mindset’ with a “particular hostility towards Reform,” the Old Bailey has heard.
Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday charged with one count of murder, and one count of preparation of terrorist acts relating to alleged activity between May 31 2024 and July 8 2026.
It’s the prosecution’s case that the alleged murder of Ann Widdicombe is ‘inextricably linked’ to an alleged terror plot on Nigel Farage’s home.
Prosecuting, Jonathan Polnay KC told the Old Bailey that they represent a ‘single course of conduct’ with a ‘terrorist connection’.
The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe and plotting a terrorist act at Nigel Farage’s home is an alleged left-wing extremist who has an ‘anti-establishment mindset’ with a “particular hostility towards Reform,” the Old Bailey has heard.
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The 28-year-old appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh for the preliminary hearing, dressed in a grey tracksuit.
Kerry, of Byrley Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is accused of murdering Ann Widdicome on the 8th July.
The 28-year-old is alleged to have hit the Reform UK spokesperson over the head 21 times with a hammer while she was having her lunch at her home in Devon, the Old Bailey heard.
The 28-year-old appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh for the preliminary hearing, dressed in a grey tracksuit.
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Kerry is also accused of plotting a terrorist act between 31st May 2024 and 8th July 2026 by researching a number of targets and travelling to, and attempting to gain access to, Nigel Farage’s home.
The prosecution says Kerry drove to Nigel Farage’s home on the 19th April 2025, leaving his house in Rotherham at 3:15pm and leaving the home of the Reform UK leader at 5:43pm.
Court heard that the Reform UK leader’s partner came home to find the front door to their house damaged.
A 27mm bladed etch was found on the door and a bottle of lighter fluid was found in the porch, the prosecution said.
The defendant was not asked to enter any pleas and The Honourable Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb remanded Kerry back into custody.
Both charges will be heard in the same trial, with the next hearing taking place on 29th January 2027.
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