A man who bludgeoned his millionairess wife to death with a claw hammer has lost a High Court bid to be freed from prison. Robert Brown, a former British Airways captain, killed Joanna Simpson, 46, at her home in Ascot, Berkshire, in October 2010, within earshot of their two children, then aged nine and ten.
Brown was sentenced to 26 years for manslaughter and obstructing a coroner, but was due for automatic release in November 2023 after serving half his term. However, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk referred the case to the Parole Board, blocking his release. Brown challenged the referral, arguing it was improperly motivated by a media and political campaign.
The High Court dismissed his appeal. Mr Justice Ritchie ruled there were 'good grounds for believing' Brown posed a 'high risk to the public of serious harm' and required full assessment. Government lawyers noted Brown had 'persistently refused to engage in rehabilitative elements of his sentence'.
Ms Simpson's mother, Diana Parkes, who met ministers to stall Brown's release, commended the decision, stating: 'Brown committed the most horrific crime against my loving and caring daughter, Jo. He must be kept in prison.' Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, Ms Simpson's best friend and chair of Refuge, called it a 'landmark decision' that could apply to other dangerous offenders who refuse rehabilitation.
