Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, is charged with her murder and appeared in court.

Ann Widdecombe died after being hit on the head with a hammer 21 times at her Devon home, prosecutors have told Westminster Magistrates' Court. Prosecutor Kashif Malik said that on 8 July Widdecombe was eating lunch when the man accused of her murder, Joshua Kerry, arrived at her house in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. Kerry, who prosecutors say was only in the property for two minutes, then allegedly hit Widdecombe repeatedly with a hammer, tipped her from her chair and then took her wallet before driving off, the court heard. The 28-year-old from South Yorkshire, who is charged with her murder, was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey later on Tuesday. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X, external to get the latest alerts.