Ann Widdecombe was hit on head repeatedly with hammer, prosecutors say

Ann Widdecombe died after being hit on the head with a hammer 21 times at her Devon home as she ate lunch, prosecutors have told Westminster Magistrates' Court. Prosecutor Kashif Malik said the man accused of her murder, Joshua Kerry, arrived at her house on 8 July in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. Kerry, who prosecutors say was only in the property for two minutes and was wearing black gloves, then allegedly hit Widdecombe repeatedly with a hammer, tipped her from her chair and took her wallet before driving off, the court heard. The 28-year-old from South Yorkshire, who is charged with murder, was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey later on Tuesday. Malik told the court that Widdecombe did not attend a pre-arranged online interview with Channel 5's Matt Allwright show that had been scheduled for just before 13:00 BST on 8 July.