Pilot's Hammer Murder: Killer Brown Faces Parole Board

A former British Airways pilot, Robert Brown, 61, is scheduled to appear before a Parole Board next week. Brown was convicted of manslaughter in 2010 for bludgeoning his wife, Joanna Simpson, 46, to death with a claw hammer in their Ascot, Berkshire home. The attack occurred within earshot of their two young children, who were aged nine and ten at the time.

Brown admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, citing a stress-related adjustment disorder. Following the murder, he buried Ms Simpson's body in Windsor Great Park. He was initially due for automatic release in November 2023, but the former Justice Secretary blocked this, referring the case to the Parole Board.

The victim's family has vehemently opposed Brown's potential release, with Ms Simpson's mother stating her efforts to keep him imprisoned. They believe he should have been charged with murder due to the premeditated nature of the killing. The family's request for the parole hearing to be public was denied, citing Brown's right to privacy.

The Parole Board chairman, Sir John Saunders, ruled that Brown's right to privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights outweighed the public interest. This decision has drawn criticism from Ms Simpson's family, who feel the offender's privacy is prioritized over victim safety.