The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe allegedly left a bottle of lighter fluid at Nigel Farage’s home and tried to gain entry.

Joshua Kerry appeared in court this morning (Wednesday, October 7) accused of preparing terrorist acts between May 31, 2024 and July 8 this year.

Prosecutor Kashif Malik told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that the 28-year-old is also accused of carrying out “online reconnaissance on prominent people and institutions on various dates, including identifying the home address of Nigel Farage”.

It is alleged that he travelled to Mr Farage’s home on April 20 last year, where his partner Laure Ferrari returned home to find damage to the front door and a bottle of lighter fluid in the porch.

Mr Malik said a tool mark from a 27mm blade was found on the doorframe, and that “the inference is that an attempt was made to gain entry to the house”.

Wearing a grey tracksuit, Kerry spoke only to confirm his identity during the brief hearing.

Nigel Farage speaking at Trago Mills, Newton Abbot, ahead of the July 4 general election
Nigel Farage (Ethan Heppell / MDA)

The Rotherham man was charged with murder in July after Reform UK spokesman and former Maidstone MP Miss Widdecombe, 78, was killed on July 8. She was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor.

In August, counter-terror police reopened a year-long probe into an alleged attack at Mr Farage’s home in south London.

The Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London said they investigated the incident as an “attempted burglary”, but made no arrests before the case was closed pending any new lines of inquiry.