Man who killed wife with hammer not fit for release

The Parole Board has ruled that a former airline captain who was jailed for killing his estranged wife is not fit for release.

Robert Brown killed Joanna Simpson, 46, in Ascot, Berkshire, in October 2010.

He was due to be freed in November 2023 after serving half of his 26-year jail sentence for manslaughter, but his release was blocked by the government.

Following a private hearing, the Parole Board has now ruled that Brown is not fit to be released from prison.

He will remain in custody until 2036, or until the board is satisfied he no longer poses a risk.

Brown, formerly of Winkfield, Berkshire, killed Simpson with a claw hammer at her Ascot home within earshot of their two children, then aged nine and 10, a court previously heard.

He buried her body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park before confessing to the police the following day.

The former pilot, then aged 47, was found not guilty of murder after a jury was told the couple's bitter divorce proceedings had put him under great stress.

He was sentenced to 24 years for manslaughter and a further two years for an offence of obstructing a coroner.

Joanna Simpson's mother Diana Parkes CBE said: "I am incredibly relieved that the Parole Board has decided not to release Robert Brown.

"We have all lived with the fear that this might not be the case but thank goodness it was unanimously agreed he should not be released.

"My daughter would have been 62 on the 6 May, and, of course, we remember her as the beautiful and vivacious woman she was at 46. That is how I will always remember her."

She went on to praise her grandchildren: "Joanna's children have grown to be the most wonderful young people.

"They have been my salvation over the years and I feel sure I have been theirs. I have every faith that they owe their tenacity and strength to the early years spent with their mother who adored them as indeed I do."

• 31 Oct 2010: Brown kills Simpson and buries her body
• 1 Nov 2010: Brown hands himself in to police
• 24 May 2011: Brown is sentenced to a 24 years for manslaughter
• 11 Oct 2023: Brown is eligible for automatic release
• 24 Nov 2023: Case is considered by the Parole Board and adjourned pending a judicial review
• Feb 2024: High Court upholds the decision to detain
• Feb 2024: Brown appeals the decision
• March 2024: The High Court rejects the appeal
• 19 July 2024: Parole Board oral hearing date is set
• 23/24 April 2026: Parole hearing takes place
• 11 May: Parole Board rules that Robert Brown is not fit to be released

Brown dispensed with his legal team before the hearing and chose not to attend.

The panel heard evidence from two psychologists, a psychiatrist, the prison offender manager responsible for supervising him and the community offender manager who would be responsible for supervising him in the community.

None of the witnesses thought that Brown had passed the test for release.

He had not done any risk reduction work through approved programmes and declined to take part in assessments intended to find appropriate risk reduction work for him to do.

The panel said Brown had not been willing to engage except on his own terms, which usually meant not engaging at all.

More than 1,100 written submissions were examined at the hearing.

Carrie Johnson, wife of the former prime minister Boris Johnson has met with the family.

She said: "Today's decision will be a huge relief to Joanna's friends and family.

"Joanna's loved ones have spent years fighting with extraordinary courage and determination to ensure justice is done."

Simpson's friend and domestic violence campaigner Hetti Barkworth-Nanton said: "We now need to ensure that rigorous, risk-based sentencing is applied at all times, and that public protection is a shared responsibility for everyone working with dangerous offenders.

"Every part of the system has a role to play, and when victims, the public, media, politicians and professionals are prepared to listen, challenge and show genuine professional curiosity, we can keep the public safer and save lives."

The panel's decision remains provisional for 21 days from the date on which Brown receives it, to allow time for him to refer his case to the parole board for reconsideration if he so chooses.

If he does not, the decision becomes final.