British Airways pilot who killed wife with claw hammer to be released from prison in weeks
A man who killed his wife by beating her to death with a claw hammer is set to be released from prison in less than two months.
The family and friends of Joanna Simpson have been told that Robert Brown is set to be freed from prison in just a matter of months, and they are adamant that he shouldn’t be let out.
The former British Airways captain bludgeoned Simpson to death with a hammer in October 2010, whilst their two young children hid scared in the playroom of their house.
He then took the 46-year-old’s body and put it in a makeshift coffin, leaving it in a park in Windsor.
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A jury acquitted Brown of murder in 2011, but he was still jailed after he admitted manslaughter through grounds of diminished responsibility.
He was sentenced to 24 years for manslaughter, with another two years for obstructing a coroner in the execution of their duty.
Ms Simpson’s family have been told that Brown will be released on licence in the week of November 6, having served 13 years of his sentence.
However, the family will ask Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to block the release and are awaiting a response.
They will meet Chalk again in October, and the politician has previously promised to do ‘everything’ to ensure the public is safe.
According to Sky News, Ms Simpson’s best friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, said: "Whilst the justice secretary has pledged to ensure there is justice in this case and that the British public are kept safe, it's more important than ever that a dangerous killer is not released onto our streets.
"There cannot be another Jo."
Ms Simpson’s mother, Diana Parkes, has also offered her opinion on the proposed release.
She said: "Action needs to be taken to block Robert Brown's automatic release after only serving 13 years of his 26-year sentence in prison.
"His release poses a great risk to family and friends of Joanna Simpson [and] also the wider public, especially women.
“He is a critical public protection case. Reliving my daughter's brutal killing at the hands of Brown is emotionally exhausting.
“No mother should lose a child in such appalling circumstances. We all live in great fear.
"However we know that it is the only way to ensure that the justice secretary fully understands how dangerous Brown is.
“Therefore, we urgently call on the Lord Chancellor to keep the public safe by stepping in to block his release and keep him behind bars."
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: "Joanna Simpson was brutally killed in a cowardly, senseless attack and needlessly taken from her family.
"The Lord Chancellor met with her loved ones in May and, as he reiterated on Sunday, will continue to give the case his close personal attention."
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Tom Wood