Story perspectives

Police Open 800 Inquiries, Charge Joshua Kerry in Widdecombe Murder

7/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Police opened over 800 lines of inquiry into Ann Widdecombe’s murder.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with the murder in Haytor, Devon.
Kerry will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Detectives arrested Kerry on July 11 for murder and on July 13 on suspicion of terrorism-related offences.
Laurence Taylor said the probe will assess political or terrorist motives while Frank Ferguson warned against prejudicial reporting and pledged a fair trial.

History

Historical Context

On 7 July 2005 four home-grown suicide bombers detonated improvised devices on the London Underground and a bus, killing 52 civilians (56 including the bombers) and injuring nearly 800 people. The attack, the UK’s deadliest since the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, spurred Home Secretary Charles Clarke to fast-track the Terrorism Act 2006 and triggered nationwide security alerts and expanded counter-terrorism powers.

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Story summary

Police opened over 800 lines of inquiry into Ann Widdecombe’s murder.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with the murder in Haytor, Devon.
Kerry will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Detectives arrested Kerry on July 11 for murder and on July 13 on suspicion of terrorism-related offences.
Laurence Taylor said the probe will assess political or terrorist motives while Frank Ferguson warned against prejudicial reporting and pledged a fair trial.

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