London Daily

Focus on the big picture.

Family appeals to Dominic Raab over killer pilot's release

Family appeals to Dominic Raab over killer pilot's release

The mother of a woman killed by her pilot husband more than a decade ago has called on the justice secretary to intervene over his possible release.

British Airways captain Robert Brown admitted the manslaughter of his wife Joanna, 46, in 2010 and was jailed for 26 years.

Her mother Diana Parkes, 83, asked Dominic Raab to meet her to discuss her family's concerns.

Mr Raab said he would look at the parole case "very rigorously".

The former pilot bludgeoned his wife to death with a claw hammer in their family home in Berkshire October 2010 as their two young children cowered in a playroom.

He buried his wife's body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park.

Brown, who believed he was "stitched up" by a prenuptial agreement, was acquitted of murder by a jury at Reading Crown Court in May 2011.

He had previously admitted manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility.

Brown, formerly of North Street, Winkfield 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.

Dominic Raab was asked about Robert Brown's release on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg


Mrs Parkes, has said the family is "very fearful" about the prospect of Brown being released later in the year without first being mentally assessed.

She said she wanted to meet Mr Raab "so I can explain in person why this case has gone so wrong".

Speaking on Sunday to Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Raab said "of course" he would meet the family.

"Within the powers I've got, I'll look at this as I would any other - very rigorously," he said.

He said he could not comment on whether he would block Brown's release, but said parole decisions were scrutinised "exceptionally carefully".

"And I've also been clear, I don't think the parole service powers are adequate at the moment, which is why we'll be bringing forward legislation to reform that - I hope that's something which will have widespread support," he added.

Joanna Brown ran a four-star guesthouse in Ascot

Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
0:00
0:00
Close
Former US President Barack Obama raps the lyrics to Eminem's ‘Lose Yourself’ after the rapper introduces him at a Kamala Harris rally in Detroit
KYIV URGES NORTH KOREAN TROOPS IN UKRAINE TO SURRENDER
Ofcom Identifies Link Between Social Media Posts and UK Unrest
Russian Boxer Receives Lifetime Ban for Illegal Move in Boxing Debut
Biden Labels Trump a Threat to Democracy
McDonald's Linked to E. coli Outbreak Leading to One Death
Teacher Enoch Burke arrested at Wilson’s Hospital School in Ireland after refusing to endorse and affirm transgender ideology.
FBI Investigates Leak of US Intelligence on Israeli Strike Plans
Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah's Financial Resources
China’s Baidu is revolutionizing transportation with its robotaxi service
Angela Rayner Secures Permanent Seat on UK National Security Council
Russian Ambassador Claims UK's Proxy War in Ukraine
Doctor Advocates for Assisted Dying Law Reform
Ruth Davis Appointed as UK’s First Nature Envoy
Pressure Mounts on Starmer to Discuss Reparations at Commonwealth Summit
James Cleverly’s Costly In-Flight Catering for Government Trips
AI Regulation Takes Center Stage in 2024 US Presidential Campaign
NASA Study Explores Potential Microbial Life Beneath Mars' Ice
Cats: The Liquid-Like Pets
Netanyahu Condemns Alleged Hezbollah Assassination Attempt
Liam Payne's Tragic Death: Tributes Pour In
Cuba's Power Struggles: Nationwide Blackout Strikes Again
Xi Jinping Urges Troops to Prepare for Conflict Amid Taiwan Drills
Farage Supported by US PR Team Linked to Steve Bannon
Controversy Over MP's Comments on Female Candidate's Family Responsibilities
Highlights from the Conservative Leadership Contest TV Debate
Childminder Jailed for Inciting Racial Hatred After Southport Attack
NHS England's Repair Bill Soars to Almost £14 Billion
Russia Accused of Using Incendiary Devices to Disrupt Western Confidence
Culture Wars: 'A Dog Whistle to Attack the Right', Says Badenoch
Virtual Reality and Advanced Technologies in Combating Cocaine Addiction
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Assembles Taskforce to Safeguard Financial Stability Amid Increased Borrowing Plans
RAF Typhoon Intercepts Air India Flight After Bomb Threat
Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar Killed in Israeli Operation
Fruit Fly Gut Hormone Study Sheds Light on Human Longevity
Tragic Loss: Liam Payne's Passing in Buenos Aires
Liam Payne's Tragic Death in Buenos Aires
Trump Criticizes Zelensky for Role in Ukraine-Russia War
Yahya Sinwar’s Death Marks Pivotal Moment in Gaza War
Tragic End for Liam Payne: Fall from Buenos Aires Hotel
US Warns Israel of Potential Aid Cuts Over Gaza Assistance Delays
Meta Faces Legal Battle Over Teen Social Media Addiction
UK Government Proposes Weight-Loss Injections to Combat Obesity and Boost Employment
UK Gambling Firms Face Market Turmoil Amid Possible Tax Hike
Labour MP Criticizes UK's Dependence on Elon Musk's X
Tracey Emin Questions the Longevity of Male Artists' Creativity
Pay Growth Decline in Great Britain May Lead to Interest Rate Cuts
David Cameron Reveals Planned Sanctions on Israeli Ministers
UK Unveils Weight Loss Jabs for Unemployed to Boost Health and Economy
Incineration: UK's Dirtiest Power Source
×