Family of Joanna Simpson concerned as killer set to be released
She died after being attacked at their family home in October 2010
Last updated 16th Sep 2023
The friends and family of a woman who was killed by her husband in Berkshire have raised concerns about his potential release from prison.
Joanna Simpson was attacked at their family home in Windsor in October 2010.
Robert Brown was cleared of murder, but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
He's likely to be freed automatically in November after serving half of a 26 year jail sentence.
The family are now asking the Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to use new powers to Brown's automatic release, and instead get the Parole Board to review his case.
Mr Chalk had already met Ms Simpson's family earlier this year.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, Ms Simpson's best friend Hetti-Barkworth-Nanton, who also chairs domestic abuse charity Refuge, said the prospect of Brown's release left her feeling "physically sick."
"We are all just emotionally exhausted and we continue to fight because we have to fight to protect us, but also to protect the general public but it is exhausting, absolutely exhausting," she told the programme.
She added that she hoped the Justice Secretary would use his powers to refer the case to the Parole Board, saying "there absolutely is risk to the public" if Brown is released.
"It shouldn't be the case that our sentencing laws in these very serious, very callous killings, rely on family and friends of people who have been viciously killed to have to campaign openly in the public to get the right action happening," she said.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said that "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 this case his close personal attention."