The shocking case involving former minister Ann Widdecombe has taken a significant new turn as suspect Joshua Kerry has been formally re-arrested under the Terrorism Act. Authorities have now indicated that investigators believe the alleged attack may have had a terrorist motive, changing the direction of a case that initially appeared to be treated as a different type of crime.
Joshua Kerry, 28, has been identified as the man suspected of carrying out a targeted attack against the 78-year-old former Conservative minister at her home in Devon. Following his arrest, details have emerged about his background, with those who knew him describing a very different image from the serious accusations now surrounding him.
Friends, neighbours, and former colleagues have portrayed Kerry as a quiet, polite, and helpful individual who was known for assisting people around him. Many residents in his local community in Kimberworth Park, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, said they were stunned by the allegations, describing him as someone who appeared shy, respectful, and reserved.
Kerry had been living alone in a council property in Rotherham after the death of his father last year. His family was reportedly well-known in the area, with several relatives having connections to the military. His father, Paul Yates, was described by those who knew him as highly intelligent and had previously worked as a research engineer in the steel industry. After losing a leg and later being diagnosed with stomach cancer in his 60s, he stopped working.
After leaving school, Kerry gained employment at a lift company, where colleagues remembered him as a reliable member of the team. In 2022, he appeared in a workplace charity fundraiser, holding a jar of Easter eggs as part of a guessing competition to support local sea cadets. Staff who shared the image online described him as being part of the company’s “engine room,” highlighting his contribution and involvement.
Neighbours also spoke positively about Kerry’s behaviour in everyday life. Some said he would help them with small tasks, such as taking out bins or accepting parcels when they were not home. One resident recalled that while his father was struggling with illness, Kerry would often take him shopping and provide support.
However, after his father’s death, Kerry reportedly stopped working and became more withdrawn. His red Vauxhall Corsa was often seen parked outside his home, and neighbours said they noticed he rarely left the property. Investigators believe he remained inside the house for several days following the suspected attack before police arrived.
Kerry was born in Rotherham and grew up with his older brother and half-brother. After his parents separated, he was raised by his mother, Siobhan, who worked as a teaching assistant. A relative described him as a gentle and quiet child who was different from his siblings, recalling that while others played energetically, Joshua would often sit nearby quietly watching.
As his siblings later moved away and built their own lives, Kerry remained in the family home. His father’s sudden death around Christmas, when he was admitted to hospital and never returned home, was described by an aunt as a devastating setback for him.
Police believe Ann Widdecombe was killed at around 12:30pm on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The former MP and MEP had appeared on television earlier that day, and investigators later described her death as the result of a suspected targeted attack.
Following the incident, floral tributes were placed outside her Devon home, including a framed photograph in memory of the former politician. Authorities initially investigated the case as a possible burglary that had gone wrong. However, after new evidence was allegedly uncovered, detectives changed their approach and re-arrested Kerry on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.
The development came after a police operation at Kerry’s home in Rotherham. On Saturday evening, armed officers arrived at the property after reports that Kerry had remained inside for several days. Neighbours said they saw a large police presence, including armed officers approaching the house and forcefully knocking on the door.
One neighbour, Courtney Foster, 25, described the moment officers arrived, saying they rushed toward the property, identified Kerry, and then took him away. His vehicle was later removed from the area as part of the investigation.
Residents said they were shocked by the arrest, with one neighbour describing Kerry as “pleasant” and “quiet as a mouse.” Others expressed disbelief, saying they had known the family for years and had always considered them kind and respectable.
Despite the conflicting descriptions of Kerry’s past and the allegations now facing him, police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Ann Widdecombe’s death. Kerry remains in custody while detectives carry out further questioning and examine the evidence connected to the suspected terrorist motivation behind the attack.
