Former British Airways pilot Robert Brown, who brutally murdered his wife Joanna Simpson in 2010, has been refused parole in a major decision by the Ministry of Justice.
The 57-year-old killer, who beat and smothered the 46-year-old mother of two to death in their family home in Windsor, will remain behind bars after Justice Secretary Alex Chalk blocked his release following a high-profile campaign.
Campaign for Justice
The decision comes after intense lobbying from Joanna's family, friends, and local MPs who argued Brown remained a danger to the public. The case had drawn attention from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who expressed his "horror" at the prospect of Brown's release.
Joanna's mother, Diana Parkes, who has campaigned tirelessly for justice, welcomed the decision as "a huge relief for the family and anyone who could have been at risk from this man."
A Brutal Crime
Brown, described during his trial as a "man of means and privilege," attacked Joanna in the home they once shared while their children were present. The court heard how he bludgeoned her with a claw hammer before smothering her to death.
Despite being found not guilty of murder by reason of diminished responsibility, Brown was sentenced to 26 years for manslaughter in 2011. He had served only 13 years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
Government Intervention
The Ministry of Justice's rare intervention to block parole highlights the seriousness with which authorities are treating this case. A spokesperson stated that public protection remains the paramount concern in such decisions.
This development ensures that Brown will not be released in the immediate future, though the Parole Board will need to review his case again at a later date.
