Friends Rally to Keep Convicted Killer Behind Bars
The friends of Joanna Simpson, a woman tragically killed by her husband, British Airways pilot Robert Brown, are raising their voices in a plea to ensure that he remains incarcerated. Brown, who brutally ended his wife’s life with a claw hammer, is set to be released after serving just 13 years of his 26-year sentence, stirring concerns among those who knew Joanna.
Joanna, a mother of two, met her untimely demise in November 2010, only days before her divorce from Brown was to be finalized. Brown had subjected her to a harrowing ordeal of domestic abuse and coercive control, raising alarms among her close circle.
Friends of Joanna are now urging justice secretary Alex Chalk to intervene and prevent the 59-year-old Brown from regaining his freedom, and they remain hopeful as he has committed to taking action.
On October 31, 2010, Brown mercilessly struck Joanna at least 14 times within their family home in Ascot, Berkshire, while their two young children, Alex and Katie, played nearby. Tragically, her lifeless body was discovered five days later in Windsor Great Park, buried in a pre-dug grave, after Brown admitted his heinous act to the police.
In May 2011, Brown was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. He was handed a 24-year prison term for manslaughter, along with an additional two years for obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty. His impending eligibility for parole in November has spurred protests from Joanna’s family, friends, and even prominent figures like Carrie Johnson, the wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Joanna’s mother, Diana Parkes, age 83, has fervently appealed in The Sun to halt Brown’s release, fearing for her safety and that of her grandchildren if he were to be set free.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, when discussing the case, appeared deeply moved, vowing, “I will do everything I can within the law to keep people safe and to ensure there is justice in this case.”
Now, Joanna’s friends are calling on him to honor that commitment. They recount that Joanna had warned them of the danger posed by her violent husband three years before her tragic death.
Belinda Skudder recalls receiving a late-night call from Joanna in July 2007, during which Joanna confided that Brown had threatened her with a kitchen knife. Fortunately, Joanna managed to defuse the situation at that time by reminding Brown of their children. Belinda, along with fellow friends Amanda Key and Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, is now working to block Brown’s release.
Hetti, in collaboration with Joanna’s mother Diana, established the Joanna Simpson Foundation, which aims to assist the children of domestic abuse victims. Hetti also serves as the chair of the anti-domestic abuse charity Refuge. She expresses her deep concern about Brown’s potential release, stating, “How could I possibly stand by and see Brown, who I believe is a very dangerous psychopath, freed onto our streets without doing anything to stop it? No woman is safe. I’m frightened – we all are.”
Belinda goes on to accuse Brown of being a “narcissist” who refused to accept responsibility during the court proceedings, saying, “If he is allowed out of prison, he will feel wronged. No one will be safe – we are dealing with the devil.”
The Sun Online has reached out to the Ministry of Justice for their response.
For those in need of assistance, Women’s Aid offers the following advice:
- Keep your phone within reach.
- Seek help from charities, such as the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and SupportLine.
- In case of danger, dial 999.
- Familiarize yourself with the Silent Solution, dialing “55” to report abuse without speaking.
- Always carry some money, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect an imminent attack, try to move to a lower-risk area of the house with access to a telephone, avoiding rooms where weapons may be present.
For victims of domestic abuse, SupportLine is available Tuesday through Thursday from 6 pm to 8 pm at 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open on weekdays and weekends during crises at [email protected]. Women’s Aid provides a live chat service on weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm and weekends from 10 am to 6 pm. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is also available 24/7 at 0808 2000 247.
Note: The article provides a simplified and straightforward version of the original news piece while maintaining the key information and context.