Mother of woman killed by pilot pleads with justice secretary to step in to halt possible release

26 February 2023, 21:00 | Updated: 26 February 2023, 21:02

The mother of a woman killed by her husband as their kids sat scared in the next room has asked the justice secretary to block his release from prison.

Joanna Brown was bludgeoned to death with a claw hammer by British Airways captain Robert Brown in October 2010. Their children sat scared in the next room.

The ex-pilot, who dumped his wife's body in Windsor, told police he'd been "stitched up" by a pre-nuptial agreement.

Diana Parkes, 83, has said that Brown's planned release is "nonsensical".

She said: "Our family is very fearful.

"Not only our family, but my daughter's friends and indeed the public at large. I fear for women that he might come into contact with."

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Brown was jailed for 24 years for manslaughter and handed an extra two years for obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty at Reading Crown Court.

He had been acquitted for Joanna's murder at Reading Crown Court in May 2011, but had previously admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Brown is now due to be released on licence at the half-way point of his sentence this coming November.

Joanna's heartbroken mother also called on Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to step in and halt Brown's planned release.

She said: "I would ask him to check our case very carefully and see how absolutely nonsensical it is that Brown is being released halfway through his sentence when the Probation Service is so understaffed.

"And I ask who is going to monitor him for 13 years of his licence?

"I really have no faith in the Probation Service being able to do this."

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "This was an appalling crime and our thoughts remain with Joanna Simpson's family and friends.

"The deputy prime minister will do everything in his power to keep the most dangerous offenders behind bars and has pledged to give this case his closest personal attention."

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