LONDON (AP) — A man accused of killing former British politician Ann Widdecombe tried to break into the home of anti-immigration Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage about a year earlier and researched other prominent figures, a prosecutor said Wednesday.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik said Joshua Kerry left evidence on his digital devices indicating he had conducted “online reconnaissance” of well-known people and institutions between May 2024 and when Widdecombe was killed in July.
Kerry, 28, faces one count of preparation of terrorist acts, including against Farage. He did not enter a plea in Westminster Magistrates’ Court and remains in custody.
Farage’s partner returned home April 20, 2025, to find part of the door frame hanging off, a lighter fluid bottle and signs someone tried to get into the house, Malik said, adding that Kerry's DNA was detected on the flammable liquid container.
Tracking data showed Kerry’s journey from his home in northern England to London and his car being parked outside Farage’s home for several hours before his return trip.
The bearded defendant, wearing glasses and a gray sweatsuit, spoke briefly to ask Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring to speak up and to state his name and birth date.
Goldspring sent the case to the Central Criminal Court for a hearing Friday.
The charge announced last week came a month after counterterrorism police reopened a probe into an alleged firebomb attempt at Farage's south London home.
Kerry was previously charged with murder in the July 8 beating death of Widdecombe, who was found dead in her house in an isolated southwest England village.
Widdecombe, 78, was a spokesperson for the Reform Party after a long career as a Conservative member of Parliament and government minister known for her blunt-spoken, socially conservative views opposing abortion and the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights.
She later found fame as a contestant on the reality television shows “Strictly Come Dancing” and “Celebrity Big Brother” and returned to politics.
Widdecombe's killing renewed concerns over the security for politicians, which had been tightened in the past decade after the murders of two prominent MPs.
Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, and Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group.
Britain's Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage speaks at the Reform UK First 100 Days rally, in Doncaster, England, Thursday Oct. 1, 2026. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)
FILE -Ann Widdecombe, Brexit Party member, is interviewed after Nigel Farage, Leader of Britain's Brexit Party, spoke on stage at the launch of their policies for the General Election campaign, in London, Nov. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 7, 2026--
Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya) has become the first South American military operator of the Cessna SkyCourier turboprop, marking another milestone for the aircraft’s multi-mission versatility. Funded by Itaipu Binacional — a binational entity operated by the governments of Brazil and Paraguay — the aircraft joins the force’s existing fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.
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“The Cessna SkyCourier delivers unmatched reliability and mission flexibility, enabling the Paraguayan Air Force to reach remote regions with confidence,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Defense & Special Mission Sales. “Its rugged design and cost-effective maintenance make it ideal for high-utilization missions, from medical and causality evacuation, disaster relief to humanitarian aid. As defense forces worldwide seek versatile platforms, the SkyCourier stands out for its ability to adapt quickly for cargo, passenger and other special missions including medical transport.”
The Cessna SkyCourier purchase will help the Paraguayan Air Force deliver critical relief services to communities across the country. The high-wing, twin-engine turboprop is designed for unmatched reliability and cost-effective maintenance, making it an ideal solution for multi-mission operations in diverse and austere conditions. With its generous payload capacity and ability to be flown by a single pilot, the SkyCourier will enhance the Air Force’s capability to perform medical evacuations, transport patients and provide rapid humanitarian aid during disaster relief efforts.
About the Cessna SkyCourier
The Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, commuter and special mission operators.
The freighter variant is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive 6,000-pound payload capability. The 19-passenger variant includes crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both variants offer single-point pressure refueling to enable faster turnarounds.
The SkyCourier is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779, a heavy-duty and reliable 110-inch aluminum four-blade propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch, designed to enhance the performance of the aircraft while hauling tremendous loads. The SkyCourier is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 KTAS and a 900 nautical-mile maximum range.
Endless Special Missions Possibilities
When government, military and commercial customers need airborne solutions for critical missions, they turn to Textron Aviation, home to the iconic Beechcraft and Cessna brands. Textron Aviation offers the industry’s broadest range of special mission aircraft with customizable configurations using proven technology and advanced engineering. The Textron Aviation family of aircraft includes single- and multi-engine piston aircraft, turboprops and Citation jets. These aircraft support missions such as air ambulance, amphibious operations, flight inspection, aerial surveillance, training and utility transport, all backed by an extensive global service network. For more information visit www.specialmissions.txtav.com.
About Textron Aviation Inc.
We have been inspiring the journey of flight for nearly 100 years. Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna, Hawker and Pipistrel brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, light and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense aircraft, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable, productive and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com.
About Textron
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The Cessna SkyCourier delivery to the Paraguayan Air Force marks the aircraft’s first South American military operation and expands the force’s multi-mission capabilities.
