The man accused of murdering former government minister Ann Widdecombe struck her 21 times on the top of her head with a hammer during the attack at her home earlier this month, prosecutors told a London court on Tuesday.
Widdecombe, 78, who was a prominent figure in Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK but no longer a member of parliament, was found dead at her home in rural southwest England on July 9 after being attacked the day before.
Police have said they believe Widdecombe had been clearly targeted, although the motive was still under investigation.
Joshua Kerry, a white British national from northern England, appeared at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with her murder. The bearded 28-year-old, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit, was not asked to enter a plea and will appear at the Old Bailey later on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik said a camera inside Widdecombe’s home had captured the incident, during which she had been repeatedly hit with a hammer.