Family meet new justice Secretary over release of Berkshire killer
They're hoping the justice secretary will block Robert Brown's release from prison later this year
Last updated 30th May 2023
The mother of a woman killed by her husband in Berkshire has met the new Justice Secretary to discuss her daughter's killer's release.
British Airways captain Robert Brown killed Joanna Simpson, 46, in their family home at Winkfield in October 2010 as their two young children cowered in a playroom, before dumping her body in a makeshift coffin in Windsor Great Park.
He was acquitted of murder by a jury at Reading Crown Court the following year, having admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Brown, who believed he was "stitched up" by a prenuptial agreement, is due to be released on licence in November after serving 13 years of a 26-year sentence because the lesser charge means he will not face a Parole Board.
However, new Justice Secretary Alex Chalk could use his powers to refer the case to the board to consider whether it is safe to release him.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio after the meeting Joanna's mother Diana said the meeting had been "very positive' and had "gone well".
She added: "We're very worried about him coming out and that he'll seek revenge, he'll blame the family, he'll blame me, he'll blame Hetti (Joanna's friend). Very dangerous."
Ms Simpson's friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, who is also chairwoman of Refuge, the largest domestic abuse charity in the UK, said:
"I thought it was very positive. I think he's a brilliant secretary of state I have to say just from what little we saw of him because he's a barrister and so he understands how the system works or more importantly how it doesn't work, he showed a massive amount of empathy and has agreed to do everything we asked him to do."
Brown, was sentenced to 24 years for manslaughter and a further two years for an offence of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty.
If released on licence he will be subject to a number of conditions. If he breaks those conditions, including by committing a crime, he may be sent back to prison.
To find out more about the campaign head to https://www.jsfoundation.org.uk/