The unnamed suspect, 28, was arrested on Saturday night in Rotherham, South Yorks., almost 300 miles from where the veteran political figure was bludgeoned to death in Devon
A man suspected of murdering Ann Widdecombe is a quiet loner who rarely left his house, neighbours said today.
The unnamed suspect, 28, was arrested on Saturday night in Rotherham, South Yorks., almost 300 miles from where the veteran political figure was bludgeoned to death in Devon.
One neighbour said they heard a police helicopter was hovering quite a distance away at around 7.30pm on Saturday. They said: “Then the next minute I saw a police marked van and an unmarked car and that’s when they took him.”
The neighbour added: “I was up all night and they were taking pictures, the forensics for ages. The family who lived there were quiet.”
His partner told the Mirror: “They were taking all sorts out the house from midnight. It looked like things had been removed from the wall in his bedroom. They took pictures of the red Corsa but that cars been there for ages. We were shocked.”
Ex-Tory minister Ann, 78, was found dead at her isolated bungalow in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday morning. Murder detectives believe she was killed almost 24 hours earlier at around midday on Wednesday.
She suffered severe head injuries after being bludgeoned before being found by her carer who called 999. Devon and Cornwall police arrested a 26-year-old man but later released him on Friday. The second arrest was announced late on Saturday night.
At least eight forensic officers arrived on Sunday afternoon to continue searching the terraced house. A tactical support van was parked outside.
Neighbours said the man lived at the property with his dad, who is believed to have died recently. One neighbour said his dad did everything for him and the young man was said to have “rarely left” the house.
Other neighbours said the suspect had lived in the property for at least a year. One resident said: “Loads of unmarked police cars and loads of people ran into house. I feel quite sick to tell you the truth.”
One local in Rotherham said: “I never dreamt it would be linked to what happened to Ann Widdecombe. That’s very far away from us.
“I was about to watch the football and I could hear a helicopter overhead and my wife shouting ‘look what is happening at the front of house’. I saw many undercover police outside. I knew they were not neighbours coming to visit!
“Then on the back garden I saw two police officers with big guns on the man’s neighbours garden. We just watched and then it went quiet.
“So I just went back to watch the game. My neighbour said they took away a red Corsa around 3am. I had only seen him about twice.”
Another neighbour revealed cops took his dog during the swoop. Courtney Foster, 25 told the Telegraph: “He rarely comes out of the house, his dad used to do everything for him and I don’t know what he did for a living.”
She said the arrest was “really loud”, adding: “They took his dog as well – I think it was a labradoodle.”
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