British Airways Pilot Who Killed Wife with Hammer Faces Parole Hearing
Robert Brown, a former British Airways captain who brutally murdered his wife with a claw hammer, could soon be released from prison. The 61-year-old killer is scheduled to appear before the Parole Board next week, sparking outrage from the victim's family who have campaigned tirelessly to keep him behind bars.
Horrific Crime Details Emerge
On Halloween night in 2010, Brown attacked his 46-year-old estranged wife Joanna Simpson in their family home in Ascot, Berkshire. The successful B&B owner endured years of domestic abuse before her life was ended in a particularly savage manner. Brown struck her head with a claw hammer fourteen times while their two young children, Alex and Kate, aged ten and nine respectively, were in another room of the house.
The children heard the entire attack, with young Katie later describing the terrifying 'banging' sounds. After killing Ms. Simpson, Brown bundled her body into the boot of his Volvo and drove to Windsor Great Park, where he had previously dug a grave. He then returned to the house to disconnect the telephone and remove CCTV evidence before taking his children to his new partner's home.
Legal Proceedings and Family Outrage
Brown pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, claiming he suffered from a stress-related 'adjustment disorder' due to an acrimonious divorce and concerns about a prenuptial agreement. He received a 26-year sentence but was due for automatic release in November 2023. Former Justice Secretary Alex Chalk intervened, blocking this automatic release and referring the case to the Parole Board.
The family's request for a public hearing was rejected by Parole Board chairman Sir John Saunders, who cited Brown's right to privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Saunders argued that a public hearing would breach Brown's privacy rights and impact his 'ability to resettle in the community' if released.
Family's Desperate Pleas
Joanna Simpson's mother, Diana Parkes, expressed profound disappointment at this decision. 'We have given up all our rights to privacy to do everything that we can to make sure this evil man stays behind bars,' she stated. 'Why should Brown get to keep his privacy? I truly hope the Parole Board can still see that Brown is a dangerous man and does not let him out.'
The family has consistently argued that Brown should have been charged with murder rather than manslaughter, believing the killing was premeditated. Their concerns are amplified by the lasting trauma inflicted on the children. Katie wrote a heartbreaking letter to the trial judge, saying: 'My father killed my mummy and I'm scared if he comes out of jail too soon he might come back and hurt me because I heard him killing my mummy. He is the most evilest man I have ever known and I wish he wasn't my father.'
Wider Support and Implications
The Simpson family has garnered significant support from prominent figures including Carrie Johnson, former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland, and the late Baroness Newlove, former victims' commissioner for England and Wales. Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, a close friend of Ms. Simpson, echoed the family's concerns, noting that Brown's potential release was 'exactly as expected' in a system they believe favors perpetrators over victims.
Ms. Simpson's body remained undiscovered for five days following the murder. The case continues to highlight ongoing debates about domestic violence, parole procedures, and the balance between offender rehabilitation and victim safety in the British justice system.
