Campaign launched to keep killer of former York woman behind bars – backed by Carrie Johnson
A man who bludgeoned his wife to death must stay behind bars, say campaigners – including Carrie Johnson.
Joanna Simpson, who was brought up in York, was killed with a claw hammer by her estranged husband, Robert Brown, as their children cowered inside their home in Ascot, Berkshire, in October 2010.
Brown buried her body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park.
The former British Airways captain admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. He was jailed in May 2011 for 26 years, but is due for release in November having served half his sentence.
Joanna’s mother, Diana Parkes, was joined by Carrie Johnson, wife of the former Prime Minister, at the Westminster launch of a campaign urging Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to block Brown’s automatic release.
Carrie urged Mr Raab to intervene, saying: “Surely, common sense must prevail.”
Joanna was originally from Badger Hill, and was the daughter of a well-known York property developer Christopher Simpson
Mrs Parkes has warned that Brown will be “very bitter” when he enters the community, having lost his job, his high earnings and his children, who she says never want to see him again.
She said: “Most of his life before prison has been stripped away and he won’t be able to contain his anger and will seek revenge.”
‘Life-changing tragedy’
The 83-year-old grandmother described the killing as a “life-changing tragedy which has altered my whole family’s life forever, leaving my grandchildren, aged nine and 10, without a loving and caring mother”.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson made a surprise appearance alongside his wife at the event, where speakers also included shadow domestic violence minister Jess Phillips, former Home Secretary Priti Patel and former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland.
Ms Phillips has also thrown her weight behind the campaign, saying it was “unfathomable” that Brown, with his history of domestic violence, would be let out of prison.
The Queen Consort is among others who have supported Mrs Parkes’ wider campaign to tackle violence against women, previously citing her as the inspiration behind her work with domestic abuse victims.
Camilla called last year for more action to address violence against women when she appeared alongside Ms Parkes at Clarence House for Woman’s Hour and BBC Breakfast.
The Justice for Joanna campaign urges supporters to write to their local MP asking them “to put pressure on (Justice Secretary) Dominic Raab to take this case seriously and do the right thing – for Jo, for her family, for all women and girls”.
Mr Raab has invited Mrs Parkes to meet with him next week to discuss the case, which he says he will be reviewing carefully.
Brown, who believed he was “stitched up” by a prenuptial agreement with 46-year-old Ms Simpson, was cleared of murder by a jury at Reading Crown Court in May 2011.
He 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.