Robert Brown, a former British Airways captain who killed his wife with a claw hammer, will not be automatically released from prison in November as scheduled. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has blocked Brown’s release and referred the case to the Parole Board under public protection powers. Brown was convicted of manslaughter in 2010 after bludgeoning Joanna Simpson, a millionaire businesswoman and mother of their two children, to death at their home in Ascot, Berkshire. He buried her body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park.
Brown was sentenced to 26 years in prison, with a possibility for release after serving half his sentence. However, Simpson’s family lobbied against the early release, fearing for the safety of the public and those close to her. Chalk has promised the family that he will give the case “closest personal attention”. Brown was found not guilty of murder, with the court hearing that the couple’s bitter divorce proceedings had emotionally overwhelmed him.
The government introduced powers to protect the public from the most dangerous offenders, and Chalk exercised them to block Brown’s release. Brown’s case will now be considered by the Parole Board at a later date. Simpson’s mother Diana Parkes has spoken of their fears about Brown’s future relationships with women. Brown buried Simpson’s body in Windsor Great Park, which he described as her favourite place.
The story has some disturbing details. Brown killed Simpson within earshot of their two young children, who were nine and ten at the time. Simpson’s family has been lobbying against Brown’s release, as they fear that he poses a danger to society. Chalk’s decision to block Brown’s automatic release and refer the case to the Parole Board shows that the government takes public safety seriously. Brown, who is now 59, will remain in prison until his case is reviewed by the Parole Board at a later date
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