Murderous pilot who beat wife to death ‘wanted to move to Scottish jail to avoid release review’
Killer pilot Robert Brown asked to be transferred to a Scottish prison after the Justice Secretary promised to review his release, it emerged last night.
Brown, 59, is due to be automatically released this year after serving half his 26-year sentence for killing his wife, but Dominic Raab has promised a full release review, which could keep the killer behind bars. bars.
The former British Airways pilot has requested to be transferred to a Scottish jail following public anger that he could be released after serving just 13 years for manslaughter.
The move would have meant his case would be transferred to the Scottish court system, meaning Mr Raab would not be able to use his powers to order a release review.
But the Justice Secretary blocked Brown’s application yesterday, Friday March 10, keeping him within the English system.
Brown (pictured), 59, will be automatically released this year after serving half of his 26-year sentence for killing his wife, but Dominic Raab has promised a full release review, which could keep the killer behind bars.
British Airways pilot Brown bludgeoned his ex-wife Joanna Simpson (pictured) to death with a hammer within earshot of their two young children in 2010
The Deputy Prime Minister said: “Public protection is my number one priority and I will not allow any deal that would compromise our ability to handle a dangerous criminal.”
British Airways pilot Brown bludgeoned his ex-wife Joanna Simpson to death with a claw hammer within earshot of their two young children in 2010.
He buried her body in a grave he had previously dug in a woodland in Windsor Great Park.
At his trial, he was acquitted of murder but admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and said he suffered from stress-related “adjustment disorder”.
The court heard that the estranged couple was involved in a legal fight over finances after Joanna, 46, filed for divorce.
She had endured years of abuse, harassment, and intimidation during their marriage.
His mother, Diana Parkes, 84, led a high-profile campaign to keep Brown behind bars and met with Raab earlier this week.
The family have been informed about Brown’s request to move to a Scottish prison and Raab’s decision to block the move.
The Joanna Simpson Foundation, which was started by Ms. Parkes and Joanna’s best friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, welcomed Mr. Raab’s decision.
A spokesperson said: “The Joanna Simpson Foundation welcomes Dominic Raab who blocked Robert Brown’s application to move to a Scottish prison under the Offenses (Sentencing) Act 1997.”
“Robert Brown’s imminent early automatic release is a worrying time for many people, but there has been new hope from the progress made over the past week.
‘We appreciate the attention and rigor applied by the Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP and his team. We have to make sure there’s no other Jo.
Under new legislation introduced last year, the Attorney General can order a review of automatic prisoner releases if he believes there is strong evidence that they could pose a risk to the public.
His mother, Diana Parkes, 84, led a high-profile campaign to keep Brown behind bars and met with Raab (pictured) earlier this week. The family have been informed about Brown’s request to move to a Scottish prison and Mr Raab’s decision to block the move.
You can refer your cases to the Parole Board, even if the prisoner has served half of his sentence and should be automatically released.
Ms Parkes’s campaign, launched in The Daily Mail earlier this month, garnered support from Carrie Johnson, the wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and former Home Secretary Priti Patel.
Yesterday, Rishi Sunak expressed his condolences to Joanna’s family.
Downing Street described her murder as a “heinous crime” and said the prime minister’s thoughts were with her loved ones.
However, the prime minister’s spokesman declined to comment on mounting pressure to ensure the British Airways pilot is not released.
Asked if Sunak thought Joanna’s killer should remain locked up, the prime minister’s spokesman replied: “I think the deputy prime minister has confirmed that he is reviewing that case.” It’s important not to jeopardize that process, so I can’t comment further.
“But this was obviously a heinous crime and our thoughts remain with Joanna’s family and friends.”
The number 10 spokesperson continued: ‘You’ve heard what the government has said before about our ambition to ensure that there are tough sentences for the most dangerous criminals.
“You may recall that last year we established reforms to restore public confidence in the parole system, but I cannot comment further on this specific case.”